McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) USA president Jan Fields announced the company's "Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choices." McDonald's will automatically include produce or a low-fat dairy option in every Happy Meal and promote options that meet the rigorous Council of Better Business Bureaus Food Pledge nutrition standards by Q1 2012.
The impact will be an estimated 20% reduction in calories of the most popular Happy Meals, also reducing fat in the meal. In 2012, McDonald's will also raise nutrition awareness among children and parents through national marketing initiatives.
The company will promote nutrition messages in 100% of its national kids' communications, including merchandising, advertising, digital and the Happy Meal packaging. The company will also provide funding for grass roots community nutrition awareness programs. By 2020, McDonald's will reduce added sugars, saturated fat and calories through varied portion sizes, reformulations and innovations. Starting with the already completed 10% reduction in the majority of their chicken items, McDonald's will reduce sodium an average of 15% across its national menu of food choices by 2015. McDonald's will expand new in-restaurant, website and mobile communications, and marketing vehicles, making access to this information even easier.