Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

McDonald’s Corporation, fast-food giant, has responded to a long-held myth that its burgers do not rot.

The firm in a statement on its Web site Monday, August 31, 2020, disclosed that its food would decompose in “the right environment”.

The company said: “Without sufficient moisture –either in the food itself or the environment– bacteria and mold may not grow and therefore, decomposition is unlikely.”

Though McDonald’s did not say what prompted its statement, a TikTok post showing an apparently well-preserved 24-year-old burger went viral in recent days, chalking up over 500,000 views, a report said.

The short video, posted on the social media platform, showed a woman opening a shoe box to reveal a burger and fries still in its purported original packaging from 1996.

The fast-food giant explained: “Food prepared at home that is left to dehydrate could see similar results.

“Look closely, the burgers you are seeing are likely dried out and dehydrated.”

Our burgers were 100% beef with no fillers or preservatives, said McDonald’s.