McDonald's Adding Calorie Counts to Menu Boards Nationwide

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- McDonald's Corp. will list calorie information on its restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide beginning this week to further inform and help customers and employees make nutrition-minded choices, McDonald's USA President Jan Fields announced.

"At McDonald's, we recognize customers want to know more about the nutrition content of the food and beverages they order," said Fields. "As a company that has provided nutrition information for more than 30 years, we are pleased to add to the ways we make nutrition information available to our customers and employees."

In addition to the menu board labeling, McDonald's published its first-ever nutrition progress report and revealed several 2013 menu innovations that will include recommended food groups from the United States Department of Agriculture's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which are reflected in the messages supporting MyPlate.

These moves are the latest in a series of actions to support McDonald's "Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices," which was announced in July 2011. The plan aims to help customers and employees make informed nutrition choices, whether visiting McDonald's or eating elsewhere.

This summer, McDonald's introduced a "Favorites Under 400" menu that highlights the calorie information for some of customers' favorite foods and beverages, and helps put calorie counts into better context. Later this fall, the company expects approximately 750,000 employees working in its U.S. franchise restaurants to participate in a voluntary nutrition e-learning program. The program will help build employees' knowledge of calories, nutrition and McDonald's menu offerings.

The chain also plans to incorporate more seasonal fruit and vegetable options, such as blueberries and cucumbers, during peak seasons and add produce side options and grilled chicken choices for Happy Meals.

"We've made a lot of good progress toward our nutrition commitments and we recognize there's still more to do," said Dr. Cindy Goody, Ph.D., MBA, RD, senior director of nutrition for McDonald's USA. "As we continue to accelerate our nutrition-related efforts, we're dedicated to offering balanced menu options and making nutrition information accessible to employees of McDonald's and its franchisees, as well as today's busy customers."

X
This ad will auto-close in 10 seconds