What kind of fish is in McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish?

Initially created to cater to Catholics observing meatless Fridays, the Filet-O-Fish has garnered a dedicated fan base. Have you ever considered the type of fish that comprises this iconic sandwich? According to McDonald’s official website, the Filet-O-Fish is made exclusively with Alaskan pollock, specifically wild-caught Alaskan pollock from sustainable fisheries.

Nevertheless, the Filet-O-Fish didn’t always consist of pollock. When it first debuted in 1962, halibut was the fish of choice. The sandwich then transitioned to New Zealand hoki, which was also utilized by other chains like Long John’s Silvers, but due to overfishing and declining stocks, McDonald’s updated its recipe.

A variety of changes have occurred at McDonald’s in 2024, reflecting a commitment to sustainable business practices. This includes a 47.8% reduction in virgin fossil fuel-based plastic used in Happy Meal toys, establishing sustainable beef targets, and exclusively sourcing Marine Stewardship Council-certified sustainable fish. While finding sustainable seafood can sometimes be challenging, major chains like McDonald’s simplify the process by obtaining their products from eco-certified suppliers.

The choice of Alaskan pollock by McDonald’s is driven by two primary factors: supply and sustainability. With over 14,000 locations in the U.S., McDonald’s requires a significant amount of fish, and Alaskan pollock’s naturally fast-growing population, which is carefully managed, meets this demand. Its mild flavor makes it versatile and appealing to a wide audience.

Previously, the Filet-O-Fish included New Zealand hoki until the government reduced the catch quota in the 2000s due to a declining population. Most of the fish sourced by McDonald’s comes from fisheries independently certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, which limits the options available for sourcing seafood.

These reasons are why many fast-food restaurants in the U.S. also prefer Alaskan pollock. If you’re seeking a dish without pollock, you might have to prepare your own fried fish sandwich.

However, it’s worth noting that the Filet-O-Fish may not always include Alaskan pollock. In 2022, Jason Cervone, McDonald’s Director of Sourcing, mentioned at a meeting of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers that the brand was facing increasing challenges regarding this fish (per IntraFish). In the past, the chain has shown flexibility in altering the Filet-O-Fish recipe when necessary due to supply issues.

Naturally, McDonald’s restaurants worldwide source their fish based on local market conditions, preferences, accessibility, and sustainability efforts. Canada, due to its proximity to the U.S., also uses the same wild-caught Alaskan pollock in their Filet-O-Fish, as does Singapore. In Australia, the sandwich incorporates both pollock and hoki, while in New Zealand, hoki is the primary ingredient.

It’s not just the source of the fish that varies across countries; the offerings do as well. McDonald’s locations in Canada, Singapore, and Austria feature a Double Filet-O-Fish with an added portion. In Europe, some countries have opted for the McFish, which substitutes tartar sauce and cheese with ketchup. A double-decker deep-sea cod burger can be found in McDonald’s China, while the fish filet burger in Indonesia uses sustainably farmed Tilapia. Additionally, Singapore’s McDonald’s provides the Black Pepper Cheese Filet-O-Fish, topped with black pepper cheese sauce and lettuce, alongside the traditional option.