McDonald's Happy Meal is now getting healthier
Zhang Yichen (third from right), chairman of the McDonald’s China Board and founder, chairman and CEO of CITIC Capital Holdings Ltd, and Phyllis Cheung (third from left), CEO of McDonald’s China, pose with McDonald’s cartoon characters at the McBanquet event.
McDonald’s feature set Happy Meal is getting happier as it is steering toward an upgrade on nutrition, responsibility and joy, announced McDonald’s China at its annual McBanquet event recently.
The meal set containing three items will now have four to include more green ingredients to make a balanced and richer diet.
With taste and quality guaranteed, McDonald’s has made it a goal for its food to have less salt, better oil and more vegetables, fruits and grains.
The new Happy Meal looks up to global nutrition standards for children and takes Chinese children’s diet needs into consideration. It now has a main course, with protein source options including fish, beef and chicken; a snack of mini French fries or a corn cup; a portion of vegetable and fruit; and a drink of pure milk, water or 100 percent apple juice.
Between 2010 and 2018, McDonald’s China has cut down salt use by 10 percent on burgers and ketchup respectively and 20 percent on French fries. Canola oil has been adopted since 2017 for better nutrition.
In August, McDonald’s also launched a program together with the Chinese Nutrition Society to promote diet education to children. So far 50,000 children have been involved in related activities.
With Happy Meal people expect joy and fun. A cooperation with Walt Disney that extends to 2025 will bring guests more toys with Disney movie themes. Characters will be carefully selected and designed to be presented. The first batch of Disney-themed toys will be available on November 13.
