McDonald's To Include Apples In All Happy Meals

By Growing Produce Staff|July 29, 2011

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McDonald’s new “Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices” initiative aims to help customers — especially families and children — make nutrition-minded choices whether visiting McDonald’s or eating elsewhere. And, it could be a boon to the fruit and vegetable industry, as one of the first menu changes will be the inclusion of apple slices in all Happy Meals by 2012. The chain is also exploring the inclusion of other produce items. While apples have been an option in Happy Meals since 2004, they are currently only chosen in 11% of the meals sold.

According to a statement released by McDonald’s, the impact of the changes will be an estimated 20 percent reduction in calories of the most popular Happy Meals, also reducing fat in those meals. McDonald’s will also raise nutrition awareness among children and parents through national marketing initiatives, promoting nutrition and/or active lifestyle messages in all of its national kids’ communications, including merchandising, advertising, digital, and the Happy Meal packaging.

“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, PhD, RD, president and CEO of Produce for Better Health Foundation. “McDonald’s announcement to include apples in every Happy Meal and being one of 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.”

Source: McDonald’s news release