CLAIM:
A viral reel claims that ethylene oxide, a carcinogen, was found in 19,000 kg of Domino’s pizza sauce, that McDonald’s uses human meat in its burgers, and that KFC adds harmful chemicals to its chicken that can damage the body. It suggests these are part of a larger attempt to normalise toxic food consumption and even cannibalism.
FACT:
There is no concrete evidence that McDonald’s uses human meat; the claim stems from a satirical 2014 hoax and has been repeatedly debunked. The Domino’s ethylene oxide case was limited to a specific batch detected in Taiwan and does not indicate widespread contamination. Concerns around KFC relate to occasional regulatory violations or food safety lapses at specific outlets - not proof of harmful additives or conspiracy claims like “blocking the pineal gland.”
Although excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with health risks such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
In a viral reel posted by Zorro Hansin, who has 62.5K followers on Instagram, a series of alarming claims about global fast-food chains has gained significant traction online.
In the reel, he claims that "the carcinogen ethylene oxide was found in 19000 kgs of red sauce in the dominos pizza” and goes on to suggest that “what they were selling worldwide in McDonald's burgers was actually human meat.” He further alleges that companies like KFC use excessive additives and chemicals “which can actually block your pineal gland” and harm physical health. Framing these assertions within a broader conspiracy, he questions whether corporations are “trying to normalise cannibalism” or “create a synthetic human being,” adding that the population may be treated like 'lab rats' for chemical experimentation.
Does McDonald’s really use human meat in its products?
The claim that McDonald’s uses human meat is false and originates from a long-running internet hoax.
A keyword search tracing the origins of this claim leads to an archived article accessed via the Wayback Machine from the website Huzlers. The article alleged that human meat was found in an Oklahoma McDonald’s meat factory and other company-owned facilities. However, the report cited no official sources or evidence and was first published in March 2014.
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A closer look at Huzlers’ own “About Us” section reveals that it describes itself as a “satirical and fictional entertainment blog.” This indicates that the story was never intended to be factual.
The Associated Press has also clarified that the allegation is “satire… Human remains have not been found in McDonald’s factories. This false claim is a years-old hoax that first appeared on the satirical blog Huzlers.com in 2014.”
McDonald’s has publicly addressed this rumour multiple times. On its official FAQ platform. On McDonald’s Your Right To Know page, the company states: “Hi, no, we do not have any human meat in our burgers. We would like to assure you that we only use 100% pure, Halal beef and chicken in our food. That's it! We source our beef from BRF in Abu Dhabi and chicken from McFood in Malaysia, who abide by our strict quality, safety and Halal standards.”
The company also responded to the claim on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“We’re real humans answering your human meat questions, Erica. For the record, we don't serve human meat in menu items.”
Ethylene oxide, a carcinogen, was found in 19,000 kg of Domino’s pizza sauce?
The claim is based on a real incident in Taiwan involving a specific batch, not widespread contamination. We have reached out to Domino’s for comment, and a response is awaited.
In 2024, Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected ethylene oxide—a chemical classified as a human carcinogen—in a batch of Domino’s pizza sauce concentrate imported from the United States. According to an Asia Food and Beverages report, “Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently detected a carcinogen in 19,000 kg of Domino’s pizza sauce concentrate. This is on top of a list of 25 products found to be non-compliant during a border inspection conducted in February this year.”
The report further states that the sauce concentrate, imported by Kagome Co., Ltd., “was found to contain 1.3 mg/kg of the pesticide residue ethylene oxide.” Explaining the possible source, FDA Deputy Director-General Lin Chin-fu noted that “ethylene oxide is often used for sterilization of ingredients such as spices,” adding that the detected traces were likely linked to spices used in the sauce.
Ethylene oxide is recognised as a toxic substance. As noted in the report, “it can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled, causing skin and severe eye irritation,” and has been associated with carcinogenic effects, including potential risks of genetic defects and reproductive harm. While its use is restricted or banned in many countries, some countries, including the US and Canada, permit its controlled use for sterilising certain food products like spices.
In response to the detection, Domino’s took corrective action. The company promptly suspended the use of the affected sauce and replaced it with Taiwanese-made alternatives across its stores in Taiwan. It emphasised its commitment to food safety, stating that it works with reputable suppliers and follows strict quality control measures.
Does KFC use additives that harm your health?
There is no scientific evidence that additives used in KFC, or any fast food, can “block the pineal gland.” However, concerns around food safety and additives in fast food often stem from real but context-specific incidents, regulatory violations, or broader health risks linked to ultra-processed foods.
Recent inspections in India have raised concerns about food safety practices at specific outlets. In May 2026, a KFC outlet in Kondapur, Hyderabad, was flagged during a surprise inspection by Telangana food safety officials, who reported dark discolouration in cooking oil and unsafe levels of Total Polar Compounds (TPC) - a marker of degraded oil.
According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), edible oil used for frying must not exceed 25 per cent TPC, beyond which it is considered unfit for consumption. Officials said action was being initiated under relevant food safety regulations as part of a broader compliance drive.
In another instance from 2024, a KFC outlet in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, faced regulatory action after its food safety licence was revoked. During an inspection, authorities found the use of magnesium silicate, a synthetic additive not permitted for use in cooking oil, along with reused oil and pre-prepared chicken stored beyond the allowed time limit. Officials confiscated 18 kg of synthetic magnesium silicate, 45 litres of reused oil, and disposed of 56 kg of chicken that had exceeded the 12-hour preparation window.
Responding to the incident, KFC India stated that it sources high-quality oil and chicken from reputed suppliers and follows strict safety standards. The company said: “With respect to the recent media reports, we would like to clarify that the use of magnesium silicate as a clarifying agent is approved as per FSSAI; and all KFC chicken, including marinated chicken, is completely safe for consumption after cooking, as per FSSAI norms.”
The brand has also previously faced allegations regarding harmful bacteria in its food. In response, a company spokesperson said: “There is no possibility of any microbial development in our food, which is freshly cooked at 170 degrees Celsius. Our food items are perishable and meant for immediate consumption.” The company added that it strongly refutes such claims and takes legal action against misinformation while cooperating with authorities.
Concerns about harmful compounds in fast food are not unique to KFC. In 2008, KFC Corp. agreed to comply with California’s Proposition 65 regulations requiring warnings about certain chemicals in food. This included acrylamide, a compound that can form in starchy foods like fried potato items during high-temperature cooking. The company settled the case without admitting wrongdoing and agreed to provide consumer warnings.
Having said that, ultra-processed food items (like Domino’s, KFC, and McDonald’s) are typically high in salt, fat, and calories. When consumed excessively, they are linked to health risks such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other metabolic disorders.
Note: We reached out to McDonald’s, Domino’s, and KFC for a response, but they have yet to respond.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.