McDonald - The Arthur Page Society

nation and maybe even the world. And the responsibility in being that global entity is that
you are being held partially responsible for the health and wellbeing of our nation and our
world as a whole. Mcdonalds should not have to change their menu because people can't
resist a Big N' Tasty. Nor should any "blame" fall on your fine establishment. Though,
because of your high consumer volume, many people feel that you can be the difference
in the world's choice of healthy eating. --Please e-mail me with a response, it would be
greatly apperciated.
Response: Thank you for your thoughtful response to our comments. We realize that we
provide food for a lot of people around the world-about 50 million everyday. We take our
responsibility for our food and our leadership position seriously. We want people to know
what is in our food so that they can make appropriate choices. We also know that we
offer our customers great tasting nutrition. We have choices on our menu that contain the
protein, vegetables and fruits that we need everyday. Obviously, some of our menu items
are higher in fat than others. I cannot say that any food on our menu is "unhealthy"
because I believe that "diets" and "lifestyles" are healthy or unhealthy-not foods. I know
that I personally eat at McDonald's almost everyday, and I easily select the foods that I
want and need from the menu. I appreciate the convenience I am offererd with
McDonald's, and I believe that my diet is a healthy one.
I appreciate your comments about McDonald's as a gateway. However, instead of a
gateway to obesity, I see McDonald's as a gateway to the selection of convenient foods
that people need for a healthy and busy lifestyle. We will continue to evolve our menu to
meet our changing customers' needs. Thank you for your thoughts.
-Dr. Adams
Posted By: Genie Gratto (13/10/2006 4:00:31 PM)
Comment: Catherine, it's absolutely true that McDonald's offers many more healthy
offerings than ever before. As a health-conscious consumer, I appreciate that. However, I
will admit...I don't come to your stores often anymore, and when I do, it's because I'm
looking for tasty fries or a burger -- something quick and, to my consciousness, totally
unhealthy. However, what I find disingenuous about your entry here is that it sounds like
you're a little surprised at the shorthand of health professionals. Is it unfair that they don't
let Burger King or Wendy's or Taco Bell or KFC roll off their tongue? Perhaps. But at the
end of the day, one of McDonald's goals has been to be a household name, all around the
world. To succeed at that, sometimes, means you're also going to become the biggest
target. I compare it to people who complain when their favorite bands "sell out." Well,
doesn't that just mean they've been really successful at what they do and have made gobs
of money? McDonald's certainly doesn't bear sole responsibility for the obesity epidemic
in this country. But at the end of the day, no matter how many Asian salads you add to
your menu, no matter how many fruit and yogurt parfaits you serve, your corporate
profile is as a fast food company that started with burgers and fries. That's your core
business. And those foods should be eaten in limited moderation, if at all. You deserve a
break today? Truth be told, we all deserve a break...but we should be taking that
McDonald's break a couple of times a year...not every day. Genie
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