McDonald's is at it again! Along with the many additions to their menu that offer healthier options, as well as staples and new items that are under 400 calories, McDonald's has taken the next step in keeping things transparent with their customers. McDonald's has added calorie information to their menu boards both inside the restaurant and at to the drive thru. This for me shows that McDonald's is committed to their customers. Calorie information has been available at McDonald's for a while whether by flyer or on the back of the paper they place on your tray when you order inside. Now it is front and center. You do not have to search for the information as it is provided right there on the menu. For me, this is awesome! I can make an easy and educated choice as to what I feed my son and I. Some days you just want what you want and you don't care what the calorie count is but most days I am trying to make the best decision for me and my family.
Here is the complete press release if you are interested:
______________________________
Carrie Woltman
On behalf of McDonald’s
McDonald’s
USA addING calorie counts to menu BOARDs
IN CHICAGOLAND AND NORTHWEST INDIANA, innovatING with recommended food groups,
publishes nutrition progress report
McDonald’s leadership takes further
steps in journey toward helping customers, employees make informed nutrition
choices
CHICAGO,
IL. (Sept. 12, 2012)
– Today, McDonald’s announced that, starting this month,
the company will list calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus
nationwide, including Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, to further inform and
help customers and employees make nutrition-minded choices.
In
addition to menu board labeling, McDonald’s published its first-ever nutrition
progress report [www.mcdonalds.com/changing] and revealed several 2013
menu innovations in test that will include recommended
food groups from the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2010 Dietary
Guidelines for Americans reflected in the messages supporting MyPlate. These are the latest in a series of
actions to support McDonald’s “Commitments to Offer Improved
Nutrition Choices,”
announced July 2011. The comprehensive plan aims to help customers and
employees make informed nutrition choices whether visiting McDonald’s or eating
elsewhere.
Menu
Board Labeling to Inform Customer Choices
“At
McDonald’s, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition
content of the food and beverages they order,” said Chris Singleton, president
of the McDonald's Owner Operators of Chicagland and Northwest Indiana. “As a
company that has provided nutrition information for more than 30 years, we are
pleased to add to the ways we make nutrition information available to our
customers and employees in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana and throughout the
U.S.”
According
to recent research by the International
Food Information Council Foundation, about 15 percent of
Americans accurately estimate the number of calories they need to maintain
their weight. This past summer, McDonald’s introduced a “Favorites Under 400”
menu that highlights the calorie information for some of customers’ favorite
foods and beverages to help put calorie counts in better context.
“The transparency and availability of nutrition information
enables consumers to make choices and can help caregivers teach and model
decision-making behavior to children. These are life skills that will benefit
them not only at McDonald’s but in every aspect of life,” said Judith C.
Rodriguez, PhD, RD, LD/N, FADA, Chairperson and Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics,
Brooks College of Health. “McDonald’s initiatives to
provide Apple Slices and a fat-free milk option in the Happy Meals are aligned
with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, as is the goal to reduce
sodium, added sugars and saturated fats in foods.”
2013
Menu Tests Include More Recommended Food Groups
To
make nutritious choices more convenient and accessible, McDonald’s revealed
plans today to test foods that would increase the number of wholesome choices
on its menu. The menu items being explored for 2013 include more recommended
food groups. Among the additions being tested:
·
More seasonal fruit and vegetables options, such
as blueberries and cucumbers, during peak seasons
·
Additional produce side options and grilled
chicken choices for Happy Meals
·
The McWrap, inspired by McDonald’s Europe,
features fresh vegetables and is available in three flavors – Chicken &
Bacon, Sweet Chili Chicken, and Chicken & Ranch – starting at 350 calories
·
New breakfast choices, including an egg-white
breakfast sandwich on an English muffin made with 8 grams of whole grain
New
McDonald’s Report Measures Company’s Nutrition Progress
McDonald’s
published its first nutrition report today, “McDonald’s USA Nutrition Journey:
2012 Progress Report,” which measures McDonald’s nutrition performance over the past
year. Ernst & Young LLP conducted an independent
examination of McDonald’s progress against its commitment goals. Report
highlights focus on three key nutrition commitments:
·
Children’s
Well-Being – McDonald’s new Happy Meal
launched in March 2012 and now automatically includes Apple Slices, and a
kids-size fry. Fat-free chocolate milk was also added as an additional beverage
choice. More than 90 percent of McDonald’s paid national Happy Meal television
advertising since March 2012 has included a positive nutrition and/or active
lifestyle message for kids. Additional communication vehicles like the Happy
Meal box and happymeal.com website also now provide kids and families with
messages on nutrition or being active. McDonald’s advertising has focused on
building kids’ enthusiasm for fruits and other choices that meet the
nutritional criteria outlined in the Children’s
Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) Food Pledge.
·
Nutritionally
Balanced Menu Choices – The new
Happy Meal is anticipated to introduce about 100 million cups of apples
annually into the diets of our youngest customers. Since February 2011, McDonald’s has reduced
sodium across its national core menu of food choices by more than
11 percent. In total, 38 of McDonald’s 75 total national food items had a
reduction in sodium, ranging from 1 percent to 35 percent. In addition, each of
McDonald’s oatmeal provides two servings of whole grain. Since the
introduction of the oatmeal line in January 2011, the company sold more than
427 million servings of whole grains.
·
Nutrition
Information and Education –
More than 290,000 people have downloaded McDonald’s new mobile application that
gives customers access to nutritional information.
“We’ve
made a lot of good progress toward our nutrition commitments and we recognize
there’s still more to do,” said Senior Director of Nutrition for McDonald’s USA
Dr. Cindy Goody, PhD, MBA, RD. “As we continue to accelerate our
nutrition-related efforts, we’re dedicated to offering balanced menu options
and making nutrition information accessible to employees of McDonald’s, its
franchisees and today’s busy customers.”
About McDonald’s Nutrition Commitments and Report
In
July 2011, McDonald’s announced its Commitments to Offer Improved
Nutrition Choices. A
full copy of McDonald’s 2012 nutrition report – measuring the company’s performance
toward these commitments – is available at www.McDonald’s.com/Changing.
McDonald’s will continue to collaborate with credible third-party organizations
to examine the company’s performance against its commitments and progress will
continue to be reported publicly.
About MOCNI
McDonald’s Owners of Chicago and Northwest
Indiana represent more than 100 owner/operators and nearly 500 restaurants
throughout the greater Chicagoland region, including stores as far north as
Gurnee, west as Marengo, south as Watseka and east to Northwest Indiana.
MOCNI manages and facilitates all marketing, sports, community relations,
educational and philanthropic programs throughout the region, and is
responsible for implementing and maintaining consistency at every Chicagoland
restaurant. Visit MOCNI’s social media outlets: Twitter: @McD_Chicago
and@McD_NWIndiana and Facebook: facebook.com/McDonalds
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