A McDonald’s burger from Iceland’s 2009 menu has surprisingly remained mold-free, despite being left untouched for over a decade.
The last McDonald’s burger in Iceland
In 2009, a unique event took place in Iceland. A McDonald’s restaurant in the capital city of Reykjavík closed its doors for good.
This closure marked the end of an era for fast food lovers in the country.
However, one burger from that last day has become famous for an unusual reason, it has not developed any mold.
A man named Tómas purchased a McDonald’s burger
The burger was purchased by a man named Tómas, who wanted to keep it as a souvenir.
He carefully stored it in his home. Over the years, Tómas has shown the burger to friends and family, and it has gained attention on social media.
People are amazed that a fast food item could remain unchanged for so long.
Burger from Iceland’s McDonald’s 2009 menu remarkably remains mold-free even today
As time passed, the burger remained in pristine condition.
While most food items, especially ones with meat, tend to rot and develop mold, this burger has defied expectations.
Tómas has reported that the burger looks almost the same as it did when he bought it.
This has sparked discussions about the ingredients used in fast food.
The science behind it
Experts have weighed in on why the burger has not spoiled.
Some suggest that the high levels of preservatives used in fast food might play a significant role.
Preservatives are chemicals added to food to extend its shelf life.
In this case, the burger may have contained enough preservatives to prevent mold growth and decay.
Additionally, the way the burger was stored could have contributed to its longevity.
Tómas kept it in a dry environment, which is essential for preventing mold.
Mold thrives in moist conditions, so a lack of moisture could explain the burger’s surprising condition.
The hamburger’s current situation
The hamburger and fries still look great; they are even showcased at Snotra House, a hostel located in the south of the country.
“The old guy is still there, feeling quite well. It still looks quite good actually,” Siggi Sigurdur, the owner of the hostel, told BBC News back in 2019.
“It’s a fun thing, of course, but it makes you think about what you are eating. There is no mould, it’s only the paper wrapping that looks old.”
Social media reactions
When people first saw pictures of the burger, many were shocked.
Some found it amusing, while others expressed concerns about what it says about fast food.
Comments on social media ranged from laughter to serious questions about food safety.
People wonder what kind of ingredients are in fast food that allow it to last so long without spoiling.
If mold dont even want to touch McDonald’s we shouldn’t either, one user said.
McDonalds closed there because the chain relies on imported meat, which was expensive due to their tariffs.
The franchise holder opened another chain instead which sells locally sourced food, the third user said.
Just shows you the quality of the food ! The bananas we bough just the other gave already started to go Black !! Another user said.
Crazy to think that back in 2009, McDonalds used the same packaging that they use today, someone said.