
Howell Wechsler, CEO of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Effective promotion of healthier choices can have a substantial impact on the food and beverage choices that get made," said Dr. "This is an essential step in the fight against obesity. In addition, Happy Meal boxes or bag panels will communicate a "fun nutrition or children's well-being message." And, 100 percent of all advertising directed toward children will include a "fun" nutrition or well-being-based message. Happy Meal packaging will be designed to "generate excitement for fruit, vegetable, low/reduced-fat dairy or water options," according to a news release. Packaging and other marketing materials will also be tweaked.

"Soda and other sugar drinks are leading promoters of obesity and diabetes, and one day it will seem crazy that restaurants ever made this junk the default beverage for kids," Wootan told AdAge.

Margo Wootan, nutrition policy director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, applauded this move, calling it "historic progress," and calling for other major QSRs such as Burger King and Wendy's to adopt a similar strategy. This messaging purposefully excludes soda and will be presented on menu boards, as well as in external advertising campaigns.

"What we don't want to do is just put something on the menu and say, 'hey, we did it.' We really want consumption," he said.Īdditionally, the plan includes a shift in Happy Meal messaging, starting with the promotion of water, milk and juice only. Such substitutions already exist in a handful of markets, including France, according to the Associated Press.ĭuring Thursday's announcement, which was made at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, McDonald's CEO Don Thompson said the chain is exploring additional side options that appeal to its customers. The healthier options will vary by market and will be available at no extra cost. Part of the plan includes providing a side salad, fruit or vegetable as a substitute for French fries in value meals. These changes are expected to be in place in up to 50 percent of the proposed markets within the next three years, and 100 percent by 2020. McDonald's worked with the alliance - an organization founded by the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association - to develop a comprehensive plan for 20 of the restaurant chain's largest markets, which represent 85 percent of its global sales. | healthiergeneration.McDonald's announced its new partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation on Thursday, a move created in part to increase fruit and vegetable options on the ubiquitous chain's menu. Over the course of eight months, Healthier Generation has partnered with Robeson and Bertie Counties in North Carolina to increase vaccination rates for school-aged youth. | Alliance For A Healthier Generation, Inc. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Partnership for a Healthier America announce a new collaboration with the American Beverage Association and the National Association of Convenience Stores to help consumers reduce sugar consumed from beverages. In honor of this back-to-school season, Healthier Generation just released a “toolkit” with tips and ideas to promote positivity, family bonding, and holistic health. Lynne Lee joins Healthier Generation as the chief development officer after her tenure as the executive vice president at Coaching Corps, which recently merged with Positive Coaching Alliance. hired Lynne Lee as chief development officer on Apr 26th 22'. partners with BluestarfamĪpril is the Month of the Military Child, and this year Healthier Generation has teamed up with Blue Star Families to bring greater awareness to the experiences of military children and the value they bring to its classrooms and communities. Alliance For A Healthier Generation, Inc.
