Macca's customer exposes secret packaging shift after being denied a straw at Aussie branch
A Macca's customer has exposed a quiet change to the fast-food giant's beverage service after being refused a straw at a Melbourne drive-thru.
The policy shift came to light after 3AW's Jacqui Felgate shared a message she'd received from a frustrated parent on social media..
"Just some first world problems if you can find out," the message read. "My son went to McDonald's in Mernda and didn't get a straw. When he asked they said we don't give out straws anymore.
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A McDonald's customer has called out the fast food giant for refusing to hand out a straw. Getty
"I actually got McDonald's drive through yesterday and I didn't get a straw either. Is this a new policy?"
The report led Felgate to question if we are witnessing 'the end of the straw,' noting that the fast-food giant has already moved to ditch them in international markets like Japan.
Felgate later told nine.com.au 3AW "took calls for three hours" from listeners with similar experiences.
She added that she'd her own investigation at her local McDonald's outlet at Greensborough in Victoria, and was faced with a sign explaining the change.
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The policy shift came to light after 3AW's Jacqui Felgate shared a message she'd received from a frustrated parent on social media.. Supplied
"We went and brought a Coke and got the new lid too. All soft drinks you now need to ask for a straw," she said.
As it turns out, Macca's has launched 'new sip lids' win an attempt to take replace straws.
The sign reads: "New sip lids. Some of our drinks no longer come with straws since our launch of sip lids.
"If you still would like a straw with your drink please ask our team and we will provide you with one. Thanks."
The sign appeared at Felgate's local McDonald's outlet. Jacqui Felgate/Supplied
The confusion in Mernda wasn't an isolated incident. One of Felgate's followers echoed the experience, noting they hadn't realized a "secret" redesign was in play.
"This happened to me last week. I believe the new lids can be used to sip from now... I don't mind the new lids though!" they said.
The mystery likely stems from which part of the menu the customer ordered from. While the standard McDonald's range still typically utilises straws, the McCafé lineup has undergone a significant packaging overhaul.
A McDonald's Australia spokesperson clarified the new policy to nine.com.au, explaining that the "missing" straws are actually a design feature:
"We can confirm that straws should be provided with all soft drinks, shakes and frozen beverages across our restaurants," the spokesperson said.
"However, some drinks in our new McCafé beverage range, as well as iced McCafé drinks, are now served without a straw by default.
"They feature a specially designed lid that allows them to be sipped for a better customer experience.
A spokesperson confirmed some drinks no longer require a straw. Reddit/McDonald's
"Customers can still request a straw at any time which we are happy to provide.
"We appreciate the customer feedback and will address this directly with our restaurants."
McDonald's Australia began transitioning from single-use plastic to paper straws for their drinks range in August 2018, starting with a trial in select locations.
Paper straws began rolling out at McDonald's outlets across the country in 2020.
The initiative aimed to eliminate over 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
Then, in 2025, McDonald's began trialling new drinks lids that didn't require straws at all, and instead were designed with a opening at the side so beverages could be consumed without straws.
McDonald's most recent release of 10 new McCafé drinks uses this new design that doesn't require a straw.
'Customers can still request a straw at any time which we are happy to provide.' McDonald's
Drinks ordered as part of McDonald's regular drinks range including soft drinks, frozen drinks, shakes, and frappes, should still come with straws.
McDonald's in Japan has reportedly completed a transition away from straws which began in 2022. Their new lids are reportedly made from 100 per cent recycled PET bottles.
While they are designed to be easy to open and drink without a straw, the spout is said to avoid leaks and spillages during takeout and delivery – especially for carbonated drinks, which can expel from conventional lids due to pressure build-up in transit.
McDonald's in Japan has reportedly completed a transition away from straws. Getty
It isn't known if McDonald's Australia is planning a similar transition away from straws all together.
Macca's has been contacted for comment.
One McDonald's customer didn't seem happy with the prospect of strawless drinks, commenting: "As a lipstick wearer, this move is diabolical."
Another said they have taken to using "a metal straw because I hate the paper straws".
Some Maccas customers aren't happy with possibility straws will be phased out completely. Getty
Although metal straws can be pricey, with one person pointing out: "Your straws look great, but just cannot bring myself to spend $22 on a straw."
McDonald's isn't the only fast food outlet seemingly phasing out straws.
Hungry Jack's in Australia has largely phased out single-use plastic straws, replacing them with eco-friendly alternatives and improved, strawless "sippy" lids.
McDonald's isn't the only fast food outlet seemingly phasing out straws. Getty
While the default is now to drink directly from the cup, paper straws are typically still available upon request.
KFC Australia still provides straws, but they have replaced single-use plastic straws with FSC™ certified paper BioStraws.
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