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McDonald's Goes For The Gold With 'Favorites Under 400'

A corporate spokesman from McDonald's says they saw an opportunity to communicate with their consumers about the calories in their food, but critics say the Olympics sponsor isn't exactly a fitting image of fitness.

If you walked into ’s this week and ordered a meal, you may have noticed a menu board announcing their “Favorites under 400.”

According to a story by AdAge, the campaign is being coupled with their Olympics sponsorship. This also the first time you can order McDonald’s food and know the calorie count at the point of purchase.

Heather Oldani, director-U.S. communications at McDonald's told AdAge: "We know that we have the opportunity to help our customers feel that much better about the items they're choosing at McDonald's.”

The menu board features items that are 400, 300, 200 and 100 calories or less. The list includes everything from Filet o’ Fish, chicken sandwich, French fries, yogurt parfait and smoothies. The amount of fat grams and other nutritional information isn’t offered up on the menu board, but is included on the sandwich wrappers and French fry packaging, and the McDonald’s website.

Critics took issue with McDonald’s pairing some of the menu choices being categorized as healthy as they sponsored the Olympics.

Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges told the Huffington Post: "It's very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits."

The campaign is expected to run through Aug. 13. However, this may a prelude to government mandates as the restaurant industry may be required to divulge calorie counts by the Food and Drug Administration as part of the 2010 health-care reform.

James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 02:27 pm
You just can't find this kind of commentary else where on the net ;-)
Mike Knight July 25, 2012 at 03:10 pm
I predict McDonalds will be the first restaurant in space, the first on the Moon, and on Mars as well. In 2066 the McMoon Burger is the number one sandwich for lunar citizens.
Randy1949 July 25, 2012 at 03:21 pm
Judging food by calorie count is stupid. We require calories to live, and the important factor is whether those calories are empty or not. McDonald's isn't telling us that. Their higher calories offerings might actually have more protein (something you need to live) in them than the lower calorie ones.
Randy1949 July 25, 2012 at 03:23 pm
Heh -- reminds me of John Belushi and his 'little chocolate donuts' on his Olympic training table.
There is really no problem with eating McDonald's food as long as you work it off.
Steve ® July 25, 2012 at 03:30 pm
Amazing
Greg July 25, 2012 at 03:58 pm
How many calories are in a large Tang?
Bren July 25, 2012 at 04:04 pm
If memory serves, wasn't Howard Johnson's featured on the lunar station in 2001: A Space Odyssey? The famous orange and turquoise logo.
If Newt Gingrich gets his Moon Colony, at least we know which jewelry store will have the first space franchise! ; )
Bren July 25, 2012 at 04:05 pm
All I have to say about McDonalds is this: Serve breakfast all day.
Greg July 25, 2012 at 04:08 pm
I think that Terence Stephenson and the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges needs to pony-up and fill the sponsorship spots of all of the companies that may be unhealty. Talk is cheap, Terence.
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 04:14 pm
@Bren -
That is correct - the Howard Johnson on board Space Station V was a restaurant. And Hilton ran the on-board hotel. BTW - Where are the citations you owe me?
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 04:14 pm
I'm with you on this one!
Bren July 25, 2012 at 05:06 pm
Thought so. I also appreciated how the Colonial One stewards' uniforms from Battlestar Galactica were an homage to those from 2001.
Re: Citations, what's that Bible passage about "casting pearls before swine?" In this case, I'm being asked to cast my "pearls" before a "skimmer."
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 05:48 pm
@Bren -
You usually cite your sources, but not anymore - how come? And how exactly is Hoffa a "skimmer?" While you may claim that your assertions about Ryan's budget are simply opinion, asserting that either the P2P or the budget bill itself 1) expressly exempts members of Congress; and 2) gives $43B in tax breaks to oil companies, are not subjective stances. They either exist in the primary source documents or they don't - objective fact! Same goes for your allegations about the Walker administration awarding Georgia Pacific and Diane Hendricks tax breaks outside the job creation program. Again, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not their own facts. Are you honestly trying to claim objective assertions as merely representing an opinion? If that's the case, then I have to ask how exactly Ryan would accomplish such directives without them being included in the actual bill that he drafted? Does Ryan have some kind of Jedi mind control over everyone else on the planet? And you don't see how you're perpetuating a conspiracy theory - come on Bren, you're smarter than that! Or at least I thought you were. You have both the P2P and the budget bill. And I have no idea where you came up with the crap about Walker and the tax breaks for GP/Hendricks. You stated "I said I would mark through the P2P plan over the weekend and I will." So, where are the citations? Just admit that you were wrong and gain some integrity.
CowDung July 25, 2012 at 05:51 pm
Once more, I have to disagree with you Bren. I'm a 'burgers for breakfast' type of guy...
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 06:00 pm
@CowDung -
Go for the gusto with a burger that has an egg on top of the beef patty! Both Red Robin and Steak and Shake offer such a sandwich, and Hoffa loves 'em!
CowDung July 25, 2012 at 06:08 pm
Yes! Those are the best...
Bren July 25, 2012 at 06:17 pm
But what about the egg bagel (no cheese), Cow?? I would enjoy one right now in fact.
(And a confession: I prefer Chez Ronald coffee over Starbucks! I don't drink really drink the fancy stuff, perhaps the occasional espresso or Americano)
Craig July 25, 2012 at 06:19 pm
"Would you like a side of pink slime with that?"
CowDung July 25, 2012 at 06:30 pm
I've eaten the steak, egg, and cheese bagel on occasion, but still prefer to go the burger route.
I'm not really a fan of their coffee, but I did have a nice McD's iced latte not too long ago...
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 06:30 pm
@Bren -
No cheese!?!?! How can you even do that in Wisconsin ;-p
CowDung July 25, 2012 at 06:31 pm
In Bren's defense, the 'cheese' that they use likely contains very little actual cheese...
Greg July 25, 2012 at 07:18 pm
Hoffa, Have you been sleepin' with the enemy? I thought you liked Jimmy Johns or something.
C. Sanders July 25, 2012 at 07:52 pm
Would rather see fat grams, than calorie count.
James R Hoffa July 25, 2012 at 08:07 pm
@Greg -
Just because Hoffa hocks subs doesn't mean that he doesn't enjoy other foods ;-)
Denise Lockwood (Editor) July 25, 2012 at 08:47 pm
Gasp... Libs and cons can be friends....
Nuitari July 25, 2012 at 08:53 pm
In honor of Micky D's and the Olympics I shall have a Big Mac and run a marathon afterwards to show the Brits they're typical European liberal wimps.
Greg July 25, 2012 at 08:55 pm
I have a lot of liberal friends, and a few that are closer than friends. It's not hard to tell a liberal that you love them. They are nuts, but you love them.
Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) July 25, 2012 at 10:22 pm
@AWD - the top is McDonald's and their new displays giving customers calorie counts and whether or not this means better health potential for those who eat there. Nothing about Chik-Fil-A in that.
Terry July 26, 2012 at 03:50 am
While I consider AWD slightly above squirrels on the evolutionary ladder, I have to go with him on this one.
Of all the topics that you guys have let wander all over the map, this is the one you decide to keep "on topic"? Didn't check the banners, are they a sponsor? ;-)

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