An excellent response from McDonald's CEO to the nattering nabobs of negativity.
From Chicago Breaking Business:
McDonald's CEO stands up for Happy Meals
McDonald's defended its Happy Meals on Wednesday against claims by a consumer advocacy group, with McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner saying that "Happy Meals are a fun treat, with right-sized, quality food choices."
Skinner's letter addressing this issue comes a week after the Center for Science in the Public Interest sent a letter to McDonald's threatening to sue if the company didn't stop using toys to market Happy Meals to young children.
"By advertising that Happy Meals include toys, McDonald's unfairly and deceptively markets directly to children," the letter stated. CSPI said Happy Meals lead children to develop a lifelong habit of eating meals that are "too high in calories, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium, and devoid of whole grains." In addition, CSPI said that none of the 24 Happy Meal combinations listed on McDonald's Web site meet the 430 calories lunch target, one-third of the 1,300 calories recommended daily intake for children 4 to 8 years old.
McDonald's said it offers parents choices and variety in Happy Meals, and "makes available in-depth, comprehensive nutrition information." It emphasized that parents are fully capable of making their own decisions when it comes to feeding their children.
"It seems that you purposefully skewed your evaluation of our Happy Meals by putting them in the context of a highly conservative 1,300 calorie per day requirement," Skinner contended. "I'm sure you know this category generally applies to the youngest and most sedentary children."
Yeah riiight.
It's the evil corporations that serve the bad food that makes our kids obese.
And it's the benevolent gubbmint that takes care of us.
I apologize for my little moment of mental disconnect but something is not quite rite here...
A hat tip to Clayton Cramer for the link.
