Changes To The Happy Meal

McDonald's announced Tuesday (July 26, 2011) that they were making changes to the Happy Meal soon.

With growing pressure to help in the fight against childhood obesity, McDonald's is changing the Happy Meal.
- KXAN-TV

The changes? It will add apple slices to its Happy Meals and reduce the portion of French fries beginning in the fall. This will result in the loss of choice of apples or fries. My question is, how can they reduce the size of the fries? They already serve the small fry. Does this mean they will be creating a "Kids size" fry or will the small fry get smaller? This is a question that seems to go unanswered in all the press reports that I read about this topic.

I do read of people supporting the move like first lady Michele Obama.

First lady Michelle Obama called the change a positive step toward solving childhood obesity.
- KXAN-TV

While others have reservations.

“McDonald’s is taking steps in the right direction,” Louaillier said. “But we should be careful in heaping praise on corporations for simply reducing the scope of the problem they continue to create.”

Louaillier’s group has been trying for some time to get the restaurant to retire Ronald McDonald, the Globe said.

- Third Age

Personally I think this group of Louaillier's is out there. In no way should Ronald be retired. What do they expect the Ronald McDonald's House to change their names and remove all images of the clown? Please! The Ronald McDonald house is a charity started by McDonald's for the families of sick kids. Why should they ever get rid of a clown? The image of a clown brings joy to kids faces. Let's get real. The clown has nothing to do with health issues. Okay now lets get back on track with the the subject of this post.

Other criticisms that McDonald’s hasn’t gone far enough in trying to trim childhood obesity include the disappointment that the restaurant will still include toys with each meal. Toys foster powerful connections between children and the fattening meals, the New York Times reported.

“McDonald’s is not giving the whole loaf, but it is giving a half or two-thirds of a loaf,” said Michael F. Jacobson of the Center for Science in Public Interest.

Similarly, Marion Nestle—a New York University nutrition professor—called the changes at the restaurant a “sham,” in part because McDonald’s is not targeting soda in Happy Meals.

“They’re going to get huge publicity for this—an ounce less of French fries,” she said. “I’m not impressed.”

- Third Age

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My name is Kevin, and that's what I think. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

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