Food Business News - August 2, 2011 - 16

McDonald’s ups Happy Meal nutritional proﬁle
Restaurant chain also pledges sugar and calorie cuts by 2020
the meal, the company said. Even though McDonald’s has offered apple slices as a side option in Happy Meals since 2004, only 11% of consumers have chosen them in place of fries, McDonald’s said. “Recent research has shown that younger children are consuming more fruits and vegetables, but we still have a long way to go to increase consumption to meet daily recommendations for these important food groups,” said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and chief executive officer of Produce for Better Health Foundation. “McDonald’s announcement to include apples in every Happy Meal and being the first quick-service restaurant to do so further strengthens their seven years of support in our campaign to educate children and their parents on the benefits of fruits and vegetables.” In 2012, McDonald’s also will raise nutrition awareness among children and parents through national marketing initiatives. The company will promote nutrition messages in 100% of its national communications to children, including

OAK BROOK, ILL. — McDonald’s Corp. has unveiled a program to offer improved nutrition choices at its restaurants that includes adding apples to all of its Happy Meals as well as a pledge to reduce sugars, saturated fats, sodium and calories. The program, tabbed “Commitments to offer improved nutrition choices,” was detailed by Jan Fields, president of McDonald’s USA, on July 26. “McDonald’s will always try to do the right thing, and we know we can help make a difference in our communities,” Ms. Fields said. “The commitments we’re announcing today will guide the future evolution of our menu and marketing.” As part of its effort to address childhood obesity, McDonald’s said it automatically will include produce or a low-fat dairy option in every Happy Meal and promote options that meet the Council of Better Business Bureaus Food Pledge nutrition standards by the first quarter of 2012. The new Happy Meals will begin rolling out this September and include both produce (apple slices, a quarter cup or half serving) and a new smaller serving of french fries (1.1 oz) along with the choice of a hamburger, cheeseburger or Chicken McNuggets, and a choice of beverage, including new fat-free chocolate milk and 1% low-fat white milk. Customers may choose to replace the french fries with an extra bag of apple slices, McDonald’s said.

The impact will reduce calories an estimated 20% in the most popular Happy Meals and also reduce fat in

Global sales gr bal growth helps rowth propel McDonald proﬁt opel McDonald’s ld
OAK BROOK, ILL. — Net income at McDonald’s Corp. rose 15% during the second quarter, boosted by strong sales across the world. For the quarter ended June 30, the company had income of $1,410.2 million, equal to $1.35 per share on the common stock, up 15% from $1,225.8 million, or $1.13 per share, during the same quarter of the previous year. Total revenue for the quarter was $6,905.4 million, up 16% from $5,945.5 million during the same quarter of the previous year. “McDonald’s ongoing momentum reﬂects our commitment to the customer,” said Jim Skinner, chief executive ofﬁcer. “By providing relevant food and beverage choices in convenient, modern restaurants, we’re giving customers more reasons to visit us more often. McDonald’s global results for the quarter demonstrate the resilience of our Plan to Win and our ability to execute successfully. Comparable sales and guest count increases across all segments, highlighted by June’s strong results, drove

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August 2, 2011

Food Business News - August 2, 2011

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