Happier Meal? McDonald's nixing some unpalatable ingredients

NEW YORK (AP) — McDonald's, which is trying to shake its image for serving processed junk food, said Monday it's eliminating some unpalatable ingredients from its most popular menu items.

Major restaurant chains are scrambling to step up the image of their food as they face more competition from smaller rivals promising wholesome alternatives.

Currently, the patty looks like a fried egg but is a composite of ingredients including egg whites, water, egg yolks and modified corn starch.

Subway has introduced a "rotisserie chicken" and "carved turkey" that have more texture and look more natural than its regular chicken strips and turkey.

The company's sales in its flagship U.S. market have showed improvement, helped by the fanfare over the introduction of an all-day breakfast menu in October.