So, for your reference, I went through the ingredients list (where available online) of some of the biggest fast-food chains to come up with this list of fast-food menu items containing artificial sugar that you might not expect.
Not included in the list are anything labeled "diet," "skinny," or the like because those all contain artificial or natural sugar-alternative sweeteners by default. Do keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list; it's only what I was able to find online.
Carl's Jr. / Hardee's
- Fresh Baked Bun Dough - Contains acesulfame potassium and neotame.
Domino's
- Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake - Contains sucralose in the "powdered sugar shake-on."
Jack in the Box
- Mango-, Peach-, and Raspberry-flavored Syrups for Iced Teas - Contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
McDonald's
- Chocolate Caramel Syrup (found in Caramel Hot Chocolates and Caramel Mochas) - Contains sucralose.
KFC
- BBQ Baked Beans - Contains sucralose.
- Sweet Hawaiian Bun - Contains sucralose.
Subway
- Chipotle Southwest Sauce - contains sucralose
Chains covered: Arby's, Burger King, Carl's Jr., Chipotle, Domino's, Hardee's, Jack in the Box, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Popeyes, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy's.
Chains I looked at but didn't offer a full list of ingredients in an easily searchable manner (or at all): Chick-fil-A, Dunkin' Donuts, Panera Bread, and Papa Johns (doesn't list ingredients).
