Why do McDonald's fries taste different?

Online Answer
According to the company, that so-called natural flavor is made of "wheat and milk derivatives." So there isn't any actual beef product in the fries—although they aren't vegan-friendly, thanks to the hydrolyzed milk that's used. McDonald's fries are still the most popular menu item that the chain restaurant serves.
Related Questions 📌
McDonalds small fries (71 g): 230 calories..
Unless a battered fry, they are not adding in salt during the process. I recommend not salting the fries till they come out of the fryer and even then, waiting for an order before salting as the fries can turn limp prematurely if salted too soon..
Ingredients: Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (canola Oil, Corn Oil, Soybean Oil, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Natural Beef Flavor [wheat And Milk Derivatives]*), Dextrose, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (maintain Color), Salt. *natural Beef Flavor Contains Hydrolyzed Wheat And Hydrolyzed Milk As Starting Ingredients..
Chemicals on the list include dimethylpolysiloxane, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) — which are all FDA-approved. So to end the clip, Imahara says, "At the end of the day it's not a 'Franken-fry' composed of chemicalsMcDonald's french fries are made from potatoes.
2. Frying fresh-cut potatoes. Soaking peeled, washed and cut fries in cold water overnight removes excess potato starch, which prevents fries from sticking together and helps achieve maximum crispness.