McDonald’s: Healthier Happy Meals

Starting today about 600 McDonald’s in Southern California began selling healthier Happy Meals. Each meal has less fries and is served with sliced apples. According to The Orange County Register, by early 2012 McDonald’s will start selling the healthier option nationwide. 

As said in The Orange County Register’s article, over the summer McDonald’s also announced other plans to promote healthier eating habits:

– “The new Happy Meal will automatically include both a quarter cup or half serving of apple slices and a new smaller: 1.1 ounce side of fries.  A new fat-free chocolate milk and 1 percent lowfat white milk will also be an added choice for kids. If you want apples only, customers will get two bags upon request, McDonald’s said.  McDonald’s said the changes are estimated to result in a 20 percent reduction in calories in the chain’s most popular Happy Meals.”

– “In 2012, McDonald’s will raise nutrition awareness among children and parents through campaign messages via various marketing platforms: merchandising, advertising, digital and the Happy Meal packaging.”

– “McDonald’s will launch a mobile app so customers can access nutrition information on-the-go.”

– “By 2015, McDonald’s will reduce sodium by an average of 15 percent on all menu items available on a national scale.”

– “By 2020, McDonald’s will reduce added sugars, saturated fat and calories ‘through varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations.'”