products, are also available <strong>in</strong> their outlets. McDonald’sMalaysia also shared that they have not advertised on TV<strong>to</strong> <strong>children</strong> s<strong>in</strong>ce July 2007.Hong KongMcDonald’s has adopted the follow<strong>in</strong>g pr<strong>in</strong>ciples <strong>to</strong>:• Communicate <strong>to</strong> <strong>children</strong> balanced <strong>food</strong> choices thatfit with<strong>in</strong> a child’s nutritional needs.• Use licensed characters and properties <strong>to</strong> encourageactivity and balanced <strong>food</strong> choices for <strong>children</strong> <strong>to</strong> make<strong>food</strong>, such as fruit and vegetables, fun <strong>to</strong> eat.• Promote <strong>to</strong> <strong>children</strong> positive messages that supporttheir well-be<strong>in</strong>g, body, m<strong>in</strong>d and spirit.• Provide the nutritional <strong>in</strong>formation of <strong>food</strong> <strong>to</strong> helpparents and families make <strong>in</strong>formed <strong>food</strong> choices.More specific <strong>in</strong>formation from McDonald’s <strong>in</strong>cludeschanges <strong>to</strong> the Happy Meal menus, such as add<strong>in</strong>g thefollow<strong>in</strong>g items <strong>to</strong> the menu, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Qoo White GrapeJuice Dr<strong>in</strong>k, Qoo Soya Milk, Hi-Calcium Mango FruitYogurt and Hi-Calcium Low fat Milk.Leaflets conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g product nutritional <strong>in</strong>formation areavailable at McDonald’s s<strong>to</strong>res. The <strong>in</strong>formation is alsopr<strong>in</strong>ted on the company’s tray mat and posted on thecompany website. However, some of this <strong>in</strong>formationsuch as the tray mat is only available after the purchasehas been made.<strong>Market<strong>in</strong>g</strong> tactics we discoveredChildren’s meal with free <strong>to</strong>yIn all countries that provided <strong>in</strong>formation on McDonald’s,the “Happy Meal” menu offers <strong>food</strong> aimed specifically at<strong>children</strong> and a free collectible <strong>to</strong>y. It <strong>in</strong>cludes less healthyoptions. There is usually a number of different <strong>to</strong>ys <strong>to</strong>collect with<strong>in</strong> a set range which lasts for a certa<strong>in</strong> periodof time before chang<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> a different range. Dur<strong>in</strong>g theresearch period, Happy Meals <strong>in</strong>cluded Power Puff Girls,Naru<strong>to</strong> and Angel Blue collectible <strong>to</strong>ys. Created byJapanese designer Narumiya, the Angel Blue l<strong>in</strong>e ofclothes features car<strong>to</strong>on-like characters <strong>in</strong> pastel coloursthat are popular with young girls and teenagers. Naru<strong>to</strong>is a Japanese manga series with an anime adaptation.The ma<strong>in</strong> character, Naru<strong>to</strong> Uzumaki, is a hyperactive,unpredictable, adolescent n<strong>in</strong>ja who constantly searchesfor recognition and aspires <strong>to</strong> become a Hokage, then<strong>in</strong>ja <strong>in</strong> his village that is acknowledged as the leader andthe strongest of all.Children’s clubsIn Malaysia, McDonald’s mascot, Ronald McDonald has a<strong>children</strong>’s club called the “Ronald McDonald Kids’ Club”.By jo<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g the club, members are eligible for discountsand privileges from McDonald’s and their partners, whichrange from theme parks <strong>to</strong> kids’ gym memberships.Members can also participate <strong>in</strong> fun activities and eventsorganised by McDonald’s plus a free quarterly newslettercalled “Red Shoe News”. In its latest promotion for theKung Fu Panda movie, McDonald’s is offer<strong>in</strong>g its clubmembers a chance <strong>to</strong> redeem two free movie tickets bycomplet<strong>in</strong>g a redemption form complete with a HappyMeal receipt.McDonald's "Kung Fu Panda" movie tie-<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> MalaysiaCelebrity endorsementsMcDonald’s have used popular celebrities <strong>in</strong> thePhilipp<strong>in</strong>es, like Sharon Cuneta and her daughters plusworld-box<strong>in</strong>g champion Manny Pacquiao and his twosons <strong>to</strong> endorse some of their products. Also Kris Aqu<strong>in</strong>o,presenter of the popular TV show “Deal or No Deal”, dida commercial spoof of the show called “meal or nomeal”. All these celebrities are well known and idolisedas role models for <strong>children</strong>.Another McDonald’s celebrity endorsement features apopular young actress Angel Locs<strong>in</strong>, who endorsedMcDonald’s summer ice cream treats <strong>in</strong> the “SummerColours of Love” promotion. She is particularly popularwith <strong>children</strong> after starr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a number of super heroroles such as Darna (Wonderwoman) and Mulaw<strong>in</strong>(W<strong>in</strong>ged Humanoids).TV advertis<strong>in</strong>gIn Hong Kong, McDonald’s advertise their Happy Mealson ma<strong>in</strong>stream television channels dur<strong>in</strong>g weekdayafternoons (after school hours) and weekend morn<strong>in</strong>gsand afternoons. Usually the advertisements are about<strong>children</strong> play<strong>in</strong>g with the Happy Meal <strong>to</strong>ys, particularlythe Naru<strong>to</strong> and Angel Blue collectibles.McDonald’s was also found <strong>to</strong> advertise its products on<strong>children</strong>’s channels <strong>in</strong> India and Thailand.20 The Junk Food Trap
Sports-themed competitionsIn conjunction with the 2008 Beij<strong>in</strong>g Olympics,McDonald’s is currently runn<strong>in</strong>g the “McDonald’sChampion Kids Challenge” for <strong>children</strong> below the age of14 <strong>in</strong> many parts of <strong>Asia</strong>, such as <strong>in</strong> Thailand and <strong>in</strong>Malaysia. Contestants compete <strong>in</strong> the challenge andthree w<strong>in</strong>ners will be selected <strong>to</strong> represent their countryat the 2008 Olympic Games <strong>in</strong> Beij<strong>in</strong>g, Ch<strong>in</strong>a.Sponsorship of <strong>children</strong>’s sport<strong>in</strong>g activities<strong>in</strong> schoolsMcDonald’s Malaysia has a programme for young<strong>children</strong> called “Fitness Fun” with Ronald McDonald,which is aimed <strong>to</strong> encourage young Malaysian <strong>children</strong> <strong>to</strong>live a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Ronald McDonald isthe central character <strong>in</strong> the programme, teach<strong>in</strong>g <strong>children</strong>about good nutrition and fitness. The "Fitness Fun" showis performed free for lower primary schools andk<strong>in</strong>dergarten premises. Those <strong>in</strong>tend<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> have Ronaldvisit<strong>in</strong>g them at their schools have <strong>to</strong> make reservationswith McDonald’s on a first-come first-served basis.McDonald's "Fitness Fun" promotion <strong>in</strong> MalaysiaMcDonald’s Champion Kids Challenge <strong>in</strong>ThailandInteractive websitesMcDonald’s has <strong>in</strong>teractive websites <strong>in</strong> the countriescovered by this research. Malaysia’s website has a l<strong>in</strong>k <strong>to</strong>the Happy Meal website at www.happymeal.com whichis highly <strong>in</strong>teractive, provid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>children</strong> with various k<strong>in</strong>dsof activities, <strong>in</strong>formation, and updates on their latestnews. Children can play onl<strong>in</strong>e games, m<strong>in</strong>d puzzles, andalso get sport tips. There are also colourful guides thatteach <strong>children</strong> <strong>to</strong> create origami artworks, build 3D cars,design badges and even mix music.McDonald’s website <strong>in</strong> India features a fun zone l<strong>in</strong>k,http://www.McDonald’s<strong>in</strong>dia.com/funzone/, which allows<strong>children</strong> <strong>to</strong> play games and download wallpapers andscreen savers.Nestle´Information gathered <strong>in</strong> Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia,Philipp<strong>in</strong>es and ThailandWhat’s <strong>in</strong> the products?Many of Nestlé’s breakfast cereals that areaimed at <strong>children</strong> are high <strong>in</strong> sugar, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gKoko Krunch (37.9g of sugar per 100g) andHoney Stars (37.4g of sugar per 100g).Nestlé also produce the MILO range, aimed at<strong>children</strong>, which <strong>in</strong>cludes the MILO Energy Bar,which is high <strong>in</strong> saturated fat and <strong>in</strong> sugar(25.3g saturated fat per 100g and 50,4g sugarper 100g). The MILO chocolate dr<strong>in</strong>k conta<strong>in</strong>s22.5g of sugar per 100g.McDonald’s ‘American Idol’ tie-<strong>in</strong> from MalaysiaPolicy on market<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong> <strong>children</strong> and tackl<strong>in</strong>gobesity/nutritionNestlé was comprehensive <strong>in</strong> its replies <strong>to</strong> all CI memberswith the exception of Fiji. A summary of all responses isprovided below.Evidence for action21