Oak Brook / IL. (mdc) McDonald´s USA President Jan Fields announced that, starting next week, the company will list calorie information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide to further inform and help customers and employees make nutrition-minded choices.
In addition to menu board labeling, McDonald´s published its first-ever nutrition progress report and revealed several 2013 menu innovations in test that will include recommended food groups from the United States Department of Agriculture´s 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflected in the messages supporting MyPlate. These are the latest in a series of actions to support McDonald´s «Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices», announced July 2011. The comprehensive plan aims to help customers and employees make informed nutrition choices whether visiting McDonald´s or eating elsewhere.
Menu Board Labeling to Inform Customer Choices
«At McDonald´s, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order», said Fields. «As a company that has provided nutrition information for more than 30 years, we are pleased to add to the ways we make nutrition information available to our customers and employees».
According to recent research by the «International Food Information Council Foundation», about 15 percent of Americans accurately estimate the number of calories they need to maintain their weight. This past summer, McDonald´s introduced a «Favorites Under 400» menu that highlights the calorie information for some of customers´ favorite foods and beverages to help put calorie counts in better context.
Later this fall, approximately 750’000 employees working in McDonald´s and franchisee restaurants in the U.S. will be introduced to a voluntary nutrition e-learning program. The program will help build employees´ knowledge of calories, nutrition and McDonald´s menu offerings.
These programs follow the launch of McDonald´s mobile app late last year that provides customers with on-the-go nutrition information, as well as an updated online meal-builder that offers customizable information.
«McDonald´s initiatives to provide Apple Slices and a fat-free milk option in the Happy Meals are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, as is the goal to reduce sodium, added sugars and saturated fats in foods«», said Judith C. Rodriguez, PhD, RD, LD/N, FADA, Chairperson and Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Brooks College of Health. «The transparency and availability of nutrition information enables consumers to make choices and can help caregivers teach and model decision-making behavior to children. These are life skills that will benefit them not only at McDonald´s but in every aspect of life».
