McDonald’s to introduce more balanced kids’ meals globally

McDonald's yesterday announced its goal to market more balanced kids meals around the globe.

According to the company, by the end of 2022, at least 50 per cent or more of the kids meal options listed on menus will meet new global Happy Meal nutrition criteria: Meals will contain 600 calories or less; of which not more than 10 per cent will come from saturated fat; and not more than 10 per cent of calories from added sugar. The meals will contain not more than 650 mg sodium.

According to commentators, the goals add to the McDonald's commitment to improve options for kids. Further, in many cases, these goals represent small tweaks, for instance to cut sugar.

McDonald's locations in the US have switched to organic apple juice with lower content of sugar and calories. The company now plans to reformulate chocolate milk to a lower-sugar version and additionally it will downsize the size of the fries served with the six-piece Chicken McNugget Happy Meal. Currently it comes with a standard small fry, in future this will change to a smaller kiddie size.

McDonald's further said it aimed to use its size and scale to leverage innovative marketing to "help serve more fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean protein and water in Happy Meals," the company said.

McDonalds' said in a press release, ''Today, McDonald's announced an expanded commitment to families, supporting the company's long-term global growth plan by leveraging its reach to impact children's meals, access to reading, and keeping families together through Ronald McDonald House Charities.  By 2022, McDonald's will make improvements to the Happy Meal menu across 120 markets to offer more balanced meals, simplify ingredients, continue to be transparent with Happy Meal nutrition information, reinforce responsible marketing to children, and leverage innovative marketing to help impact the purchase of foods and beverages that contain recommended food groups in Happy Meals.''