Okay, what's the beef? Ronald McDonald, one of the world's most recognizable clowns, has been the company's mascot since 1971 is being threatened with early retirement at age 40. Nutrition advocates say the tall clown is not scary, but pushing kids to eat unhealthy which in turn contributes to the fast growing global epidemic of childhood obesity.
The group wants Ronnie's friends gone too. Namely The Hamburglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese and Captain Crook.
McDonalds stands by Ronald and says that it is committed to children's health and nutrition. The "billions" served company has argued that it has introduced healthy alternatives such as Apple Dippers and low-fat milk in Happy Meals, but critics say the company still serves French fries in the vast majority of its kid-friendly combo meals. On the other hand, it is the consumer's option though and Ronald is not pushing fries in particular.
Corporate Accountability International is leading the charge and they plan to storm McD's annual shareholder meeting Thursday and introduce a resolution calling for the clown to step down and let the golden arches stand alone. The organization has "been waging winning campaigns to challenge corporate abuse for more than 30 years," according to their website.
Steven Rothschild, a professor at Rush Medical College and a backer of the resolution says:
"Through this initiative, the public health community is rallying behind a simple message to McDonald's: stop making the next generation sick; retire Ronald and the rest of your junk food marketing to kids."
McDonald's is pointing out in defense that Ronald is the symbol of its flag-ship charity, Ronald McDonald House (RMHC), which is dedicated to the health and well being of children. Last year, RMHC celebrated the 300th Ronald McDonald House opening in St. Louis on September 29. The 300th House provides 20 bedrooms, and is 18, 188 square feet.
The charity also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program when RMHC opened its 40th RMCM in Latvia along with two new chapters in Curacao and Ecuador. They also opened in Campinas, Brazil, Evansville, IN, and Fuchu, Tokyo, which is Japan's 7th House program overall.
McDonald's reps stated:
"We are committed to responsible advertising and take our communications to children very seriously. Ronald is an ambassador for good and delivers important messages to kids on safety, literacy and balanced, active lifestyles."
Check out how McDonald's, on their company website, defends their menu choices, where they rely on USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a basis of judgement:
Milk: Our 1% low-fat white milk and 1% low-fat chocolate milk each provide 30% of the daily value for calcium and meet 1/3 of an individual's daily needs for dairy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Fruit: Apple Dippers and 100% Minute Maid® Apple Juice (6.75 oz) each provide at least ½ cup of fruit and meet ¼ of an individual's daily needs for fruit according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Meat: Chicken McNuggets made with white meat are a tender, juicy choice.
Whole Grains: The Premium Honey Wheat Roll for Chicken Sandwiches provides 8 grams of whole grains, which is a half serving of the daily recommendation of 3 ounces of whole grains, according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Vegetables: McDonald's Premium Salads provide about 3 cups of vegetables - 100% of the recommended daily amount of vegetables, according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
It may surprise you to learn that our advertised 4-piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal with Apple Dippers, low-fat caramel dip and 1% low-fat white milk is relatively low in fat, sodium and calories, providing less than a third of the government's daily recommendations for total fat, sodium and calories according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Good luck Ronald!!!
Sources: McDonald's Corporation, The Ronald McDonald House Charity and Corporate Accountability International
The group wants Ronnie's friends gone too. Namely The Hamburglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese and Captain Crook.
McDonalds stands by Ronald and says that it is committed to children's health and nutrition. The "billions" served company has argued that it has introduced healthy alternatives such as Apple Dippers and low-fat milk in Happy Meals, but critics say the company still serves French fries in the vast majority of its kid-friendly combo meals. On the other hand, it is the consumer's option though and Ronald is not pushing fries in particular.
Corporate Accountability International is leading the charge and they plan to storm McD's annual shareholder meeting Thursday and introduce a resolution calling for the clown to step down and let the golden arches stand alone. The organization has "been waging winning campaigns to challenge corporate abuse for more than 30 years," according to their website.
Steven Rothschild, a professor at Rush Medical College and a backer of the resolution says:
"Through this initiative, the public health community is rallying behind a simple message to McDonald's: stop making the next generation sick; retire Ronald and the rest of your junk food marketing to kids."
McDonald's is pointing out in defense that Ronald is the symbol of its flag-ship charity, Ronald McDonald House (RMHC), which is dedicated to the health and well being of children. Last year, RMHC celebrated the 300th Ronald McDonald House opening in St. Louis on September 29. The 300th House provides 20 bedrooms, and is 18, 188 square feet.
The charity also marked the 10th Anniversary of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program when RMHC opened its 40th RMCM in Latvia along with two new chapters in Curacao and Ecuador. They also opened in Campinas, Brazil, Evansville, IN, and Fuchu, Tokyo, which is Japan's 7th House program overall.
McDonald's reps stated:
"We are committed to responsible advertising and take our communications to children very seriously. Ronald is an ambassador for good and delivers important messages to kids on safety, literacy and balanced, active lifestyles."
Check out how McDonald's, on their company website, defends their menu choices, where they rely on USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a basis of judgement:
Milk: Our 1% low-fat white milk and 1% low-fat chocolate milk each provide 30% of the daily value for calcium and meet 1/3 of an individual's daily needs for dairy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Fruit: Apple Dippers and 100% Minute Maid® Apple Juice (6.75 oz) each provide at least ½ cup of fruit and meet ¼ of an individual's daily needs for fruit according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Meat: Chicken McNuggets made with white meat are a tender, juicy choice.
Whole Grains: The Premium Honey Wheat Roll for Chicken Sandwiches provides 8 grams of whole grains, which is a half serving of the daily recommendation of 3 ounces of whole grains, according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Vegetables: McDonald's Premium Salads provide about 3 cups of vegetables - 100% of the recommended daily amount of vegetables, according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
It may surprise you to learn that our advertised 4-piece Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal with Apple Dippers, low-fat caramel dip and 1% low-fat white milk is relatively low in fat, sodium and calories, providing less than a third of the government's daily recommendations for total fat, sodium and calories according to the USDHHS and the USDA 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Good luck Ronald!!!
Sources: McDonald's Corporation, The Ronald McDonald House Charity and Corporate Accountability International
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