ADVERTISEMENT

McDonald's is making a major change to its Happy Meals to win over skeptical parents (MCD)

McDonald's just announced an initative to cut calories in Happy Meals.

  • The cheeseburger will no longer be on Happy Meal menus, and six-piece chicken nuggets will no longer be served with small fries.
  • McDonald's head of global nutrition says she's "shocked" by what she believes to be people's uninformed criticism of the chain's menu.
ADVERTISEMENT

McDonald's just announced a global change to its Happy Meals.

On Thursday, the fast-food giant announced it would be making worldwide changes to cut calories, sodium, saturated fat, and sugar in Happy Meals. The chain is also prioritizing cutting artificial ingredients and adjusting what meals are advertised to children.

Starting in June, the official US Happy Meal menu — as displayed on menu boards — will only feature combinations that are 600 calories or less.

ADVERTISEMENT

"It's really what we see as a gentle nudge in encouraging more positive choices," McDonald's head of global nutrition, Julia Braun, told Business Insider.

McDonald's cut the calories primarily by focusing on cheeseburgers and fries.

While a cheeseburger Happy Meal will be available upon request, cheeseburgers will no long be featured on the menu or in advertising. And, while customers can order a small fries with a four-piece nugget Happy Meal, they will be restricted to a kids-sized fries for the six-piece meal.

McDonald's also announced that by 2022, at least 50% of Happy Meals on menus will be 600 calories or less. The chain will also meet McDonald's nutritional criteria: equal to or less than 10% of calories from saturated fat, 650 milligrams of sodium, and 10% of calories from sugar.

The fast-food giant has struggled to convince critics of its food quality and nutrition.

ADVERTISEMENT

"As a mom I hear comments all the time that are like, 'you don't eat McDonald's,' or, 'you don't give McDonald's to your kids, right?'" Braun said. "And I'm shocked."

Braun says that critics ignore things such as McDonald's cutting preservatives and artificial ingredients from food.

McDonald's is undergoing a major effort to modernize how people perceive the fast-food chain. Public efforts to revamp Happy Meals — as well as initiatives to improve menu items such as fried chicken — attempt to change customers' minds.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Kenyan women are more obese than their men - here’s why

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

Africa’s richest man Dangote stands between Europe and $17 billion in revenue

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

After months of exchanging blows, Kenya and Uganda takes steps towards resolution

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

Africa's first black billionaire could join $2.9 billion Vivendi bid for MultiChoice

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

10 most dangerous African countries in 2024

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

Russia’s nuclear influence expands further north of Africa

ADVERTISEMENT