McDonald's bets big on healthier option, sells 21mn low-fat with Happy Meal

Through a partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, McDonald's Corporation announced a global commitment to increase customers' access to fruit and vegetables and help families and children make informed choices in keeping with balanced lifestyles at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting.

McDonald's made five specific commitments in 20 major markets, including the US, representing more than 85 per cent of the company's global sales.

The commitment spans through the year 2020 with interim goals in 2016 and 2018 and the final goal of fulfilling all commitments in all 20 markets by 2020.

According to the Key bridge report, McDonald's USA sold 21 million more low-fat and fat-free milk jugs and 100 per cent apple juice boxes in the first 11 months in Happy Meals and ala carte after removing the listing of sodas on the Happy Meal section of menu boards compared to the same period a year earlier (July 2014 to May 2015).

"We're making progress in areas that matter most to our customers, business and society," said McDonald's President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Easterbrook. "Our actions demonstrate the influence of our scale and the impact of our partnerships. We'll continue to work with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to offer more choices to our customers around the world."

The fast food chain also sold 161 million tubes of Go-GURT Low Fat Strawberry Yogurts (July 2014 to May 2015) and 38 million Cuties Clementines (Nov 2014 to March 2015) in Happy Meals and ala carte.

Since sodas were removed from the Happy Meal section of menu boards, the company has seen a nine percentage point increase in customers selecting milk and juice.

Before the change, 37 per cent of customers chose milk and juice; and after, the percentage increased to 46 per cent.

During the same period, the percentage of customers selecting soda decreased from 56 per cent to 48 per cent.

McDonald's USA did not offer a fruit, vegetable or salad option as a substitute for French fries in Extra Value Meals in 2014, but did offer this alternative beginning in January 2015. An independent survey found that 83% of McDonald's restaurants were offering this new option by February 2015.

"The progress McDonald's is making is a critical step in the right direction," says Dr Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. "Any business practice that enhances the opportunity for families to make healthier choices is beneficial."

In 2014, 14 Happy Meal boxes and bags dedicated a panel to a fun nutrition or children's well-being message, exceeding the four that were required in order to fulfill the commitment.

McDonald's is one of the world's leading global foodservice retailer with over 36,000 locations serving approximately 69 million customers in over 100 countries each day. More than 80% of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business men and women.