McDonald’s to provide healthier children’s meal

By 조정은

Published : July 28, 2011 - 10:02

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A McDonald‘s Cheeseburger Happy Meal with the new apple slices option is shown on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Pittsburgh. McDonald’s Corp. says it is adding apple slices to every Happy Meal, part of the chain‘s larger push to paint itself as a healthy place to eat. (AP-Yonhap News)

McDonald’s plans to include fruit and vegetables in its children’s meal sets in response to growing health concerns related to its products.

The Happy Meal, which is served with a free toy, had been popular among children for decades.

But as parents and other health campaigners become more concerned about nutrition, the world’s largest fast food will include apple slices in its meals, while reducing the amount of fries.

Other choices include raisins, carrots, or pineapples, depending on location and seasons. Through this, the restaurant aims to reduce the calorie count by 20 percent, it said.

The new Happy Meal is expected to be sold at 14,000 McDonald’s chains in the United States by April next year. It will be expanded to other countries depending on its success.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Korea told the Korea Herald that it does not plan on launching the new set for now, but is focusing on diversifying its side menus.

By Kang Yoon-seung
(koreacolin@gmail.com)
Intern reporter

<한글 요약>

美 맥도날드, 불량식품 오명 벗기 위해 해피밀에 과일 추가

미국 맥도날드가 아이들 전용 햄버거 세트인 ‘해피밀’에 과일 및 채소 등을 추가하기로 결정하였다.

장난감 등 선물을 제공하며 지난 수 십 년 동안 아이들이 애용해온 해피밀은, 최근 건강에 대한 관심이 높아지면서 부모와 관련 시민 단체들의 비판을 받기도 했다.

이에 대응하기 위해 맥도날드는 감자 튀김의 양을 줄이면서, 계절에 따른 과일 및 야채를 제공하기로 결정한 것이다.

이번 결정은 내년 4월까지 미국 전역의 체인점에 적용되며, 고객 등의 반응에 따라 다른 나라로 확대할 계획이다.

한편 한국 맥도날드는 현재로써 구체적인 계획은 없으나, 기본적으로 사이드 메뉴의 다양화에 주력하고 있다고 코리아 헤럴드에 전했다.

McDonald’s to provide healthier children’s meal

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