Much-reviled McDonald’s to post calorie counts on menus

Fast food chain McDonald's – frequently lampooned for selling unhealthy, high-calorie snacks and meals – said on Wednesday that it would begin posting calorie counts at its more than 14,000 US outlets, both on the menu board inside the fast-food restaurant as well as on the drive-through menu, from next week.

The move by McDonald's could well prompt other fast food chains to follow suit. The company also unveiled several menu additions aimed at making its offerings more healthful. They include an egg white McMuffin, a grilled chicken option for the Happy Meal and seasonal fruits and vegetables like blueberries and cucumbers.

''We recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order,'' Jan Fields, president of McDonald's USA, said in a statement.

''We've made a lot of good progress toward our nutrition commitments and we recognize there's still more to do,'' Dr Cindy Goody, McDonald's senior director of nutrition, added.

This means US customers will soon be forced to face the fact that a large order of those crispy, salty, golden brown slivers of deep-fried goodness will pack on 500 calories.

But whether the move – prompted by impending court legislation – will spread outside the US, including its outlets in India, remains to be seen.