In the late 1970s, McDonald’s found itself at the center of an unexpected controversy involving its spoon-shaped coffee stirrers. Designed to stir cream and sugar into hot beverages, these small plastic utensils inadvertently became popular tools for drug users to measure and consume powdered substances like cocaine and PCP. The stirrers, capable of holding approximately 100 milligrams of powder, were even nicknamed “McSpoons” within drug culture.
The issue gained national attention in October 1979 when a newspaper article described a New York City party featuring a large bowl of cocaine accompanied by McDonald’s coffee spoons for guests to use . This revelation prompted congressional hearings on drug paraphernalia, during which then-Senator Joe Biden highlighted the McDonald’s spoon as an example of how everyday items could be repurposed for illicit drug use.
Joyce Nalepka, president of the National Federation of Parents for Drug-Free Youth, contacted McDonald’s president Edward Schmidt, urging the company to address the issue. Initially hesitant, Schmidt agreed after considering the potential impact on children and the company’s family-friendly image . In December 1979, McDonald’s announced the discontinuation of the spoon-shaped stirrers, replacing them with flat paddles to prevent misuse.
Despite the change, the original stirrers remained in circulation, with some being distributed to international franchises. Reports indicated that these spoons continued to be used for drug consumption abroad, and even years later, law enforcement in cities like Columbus, Ohio, and Detroit found them bundled and sold for drug use, as confirmed by Snopes.
The legacy of the “McSpoon” persisted into the 21st century. In 2005, artists Ken Courtney and Tobias Wong created “Cokespoon No. 2,” a gold-plated replica of the original stirrer, as a commentary on consumer culture. McDonald’s responded with a cease-and-desist letter, emphasizing its desire to distance the brand from any association with drug paraphernalia.
This episode underscores how a seemingly innocuous item can acquire unintended significance, illustrating the complex interplay between consumer products and cultural practices.
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