Trust us: You need to read this before ordering a Wendy's Frosty
Why You Should Think Twice Before Ordering Your Next Frosty
Published on Nov. 07, 2024
More than its baked potatoes, saucy nuggs or square burger patties, Wendy’s is beloved for its iconic, delicious and delightfully sweet Frosty. Whether you’re on the road, on the go or just craving a treat, Wendy’s Frosty reigns supreme. And if you’ve never tried dipping your fries in your Frosty, you’re seriously missing out.
But no matter how much you might have a hankering for a Frosty, you may want to reconsider before hitting the drive-thru. The sweet treat may contain a hidden health hazard—and no, we’re talking about the extra calories.
Read on to find out why you might want to think twice before satisfying your sweet tooth with a Wendy’s Frosty.
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What’s wrong with Wendy’s Frosty?
Wendy’s Frosty isn’t exactly a healthy snack, but the problem with the thick, creamy shake is deeper than your diet. Just like McDonald’s ice cream machines are tricky to clean, Wendy’s soft-serve machines are a struggle for employees to scour.
Fact is, you risk eating ice cream from a dirty machine at both fast-food joints. But at least at McDonald’s, employees often tell customers the ice cream machines are McBroken when they’re dirty or in the process of being cleaned. Wendy’s continues to use the machines when they aren’t clean. Ick!
And that’s not the only reason you might want to be wary of Wendy’s Frosty. According to one Reddit user claiming to be a Wendy’s employee, leftover Frosty base is saved from one day to the next, and it’s not uncommon for it to sit in the refrigerator uncovered overnight. The next day, it’s poured right back into the machine and reused to make one Frosty after another.
OK, but how clean are ice cream machines in general?
Wendy’s isn’t the only fast-food restaurant with questionable cleaning practices. Across the board, fast-food ice cream machines are known for being dirty. In a study conducted by the news show Inside Edition, nine out of 40 ice cream machines tested showed signs of bacterial contamination.
In other words, if you’re committed to eating soft-serve ice cream or a milkshake at any restaurant, you’ll have to accept the fact that the machine may not be as clean as you’d like.
Does this mean I should never order a Frosty?
While this revelation about Wendy’s less-than-clean ice cream machines may make you want to steer clear of this fast-food item, you don’t have to deny yourself this sweet treat once and for all. There are a few things you can do to make sure that you can safely enjoy a vanilla or chocolate Frosty.
First, check to see how clean the rest of the restaurant is. Does it look like the space is well-maintained? Do you notice an attention to detail in keeping the place clean and tidy? A spotless Wendy’s is a good sign.
Then, before ordering, ask a restaurant employee when the ice cream machine was last cleaned. If the person can’t seem to remember—or if it was cleaned more than a day ago—you might want to skip the Frosty until next time.
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Sources:
- Reddit: “Fast food workers of Reddit, what should we NOT order at your restaurant? Why not?”
- Inside Edition: “How Safe Is Your Soft Serve? Investigation Finds Worrisome Bacteria at Some Stores”
