McDonald's Makes Some Changes

In March this year, McDonald’s Australia announced a number of initiatives, which aim to give consumers more choice and healthier alternatives. Such initiatives include:

• The introduction of the Salads Plus menu. This is now a permanent feature on the McDonalds menu, which brings a healthier, lighter focus to the original menu, consisting of a range of products that have 10 grams of fat or less, per serve.
  
• Introducing nutrition information panels on the packaging of regular menu items. This allows for enhanced consumer information and education, enabling individuals and families to make better dietary choices.
  
• Introducing hamburger buns that are low in sugar.
  
• Reducing the calorie / kilojoule (energy) and sugar content of Salads Plus muffin and yoghurt menu items.
  
• Launching an alternative (healthier) Happy Meal for children, containing fruit and vegetables.
  
• Using a liquid canola cooking oil blend in restaurants, to aim for enhanced cooking methods.
  
• Introducing a new breakfast menu known as “Quickstart”. McDonald’s have teamed up with some of Australia’s favourite brands to launch this new menu, which offers cereals, fruit, yoghurt and juices.

In America, McDonald’s has made available super-size portions, advertised as offering good value for money. In response to the obesity epidemic sweeping the country, as well as the poor nutrition these super-size portions offer, McDonald’s has decided to phase out its super-size French fries and soft drinks later this year. This move is another one of McDonald’s steps to appeal to health- and weight-conscious consumers.