Is McDonald's About to Offer Dental Floss with Happy Meal?
Nov. 23 is National Flossing Day, and McDonald's Corp. Asked to Join the Cause
What prompted the NFC to contact Thompson with the proposal was the company's long-standing commitment to customers' health and the success McDonald's has had with its Healthy Options menu, among other healthier options. The NFC believes if McDonald's adds the offer of floss to its customers, it's an innovative way to expand the company's interest in the public's health.
Online article, "The Importance of Flossing to You," says that next to brushing your teeth, flossing is the most important thing you can do to ensure good oral health. Flossing, which should be done at least once a day, removes the bacteria that is missed by the toothbrush because it hides between the teeth. If not removed by flossing, the bacteria becomes plaque, which turns to tartar. Plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, but tartar can only be removed by a dentist.
In an attempt to increase the public's awareness of the importance of flossing, the NFC is using National Flossing Day as the day for McDonald's to launch the new dental floss promotion. The hope is that McDonald's will join the cause and make good dental health another avenue to demonstrate its interest in customer health.
The NFC says that individual floss packets are currently available from major suppliers, and adding a floss packet to a meal would be relatively inexpensive, yet useful to the customer.
National Flossing Day, which is sponsored by the NFC, has been on the calendar on the Friday after Thanksgiving since 2000. In 2007, the NFC is encouraging everyone to "do whatever possible to promote the availability of floss in their homes, in restaurants, and in every place where the floss-needy may be found...." As a result, McDonald's is being asked to get involved by offering dental floss with its meals. Armand Lione is the president of the NFC. He says they hope "McDonald's will set a new dental health standard for restaurants across the US."
According to the National Restaurant Assn., McDonald's has a long-standing commitment to be responsive to customers' needs. Over the past four years, the company has partnered with health and fitness experts, as well as professional and student athletes, to market and promote awareness of the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. Time will tell if McDonald's will take up the cause of dental floss and good oral hygiene.
Sources:
Press release, "McDonald's Asked to Offer Dental Floss with Happy Meal;" http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb570454.htm
Article, "The Importance of Flossing To You;" http://www.saveyoursmile.com/healtharticles/flossing.html
Nat'l Restaurant Assn.; http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/market_solutions.cfm
Published by Sussy
I'm retired and living in the country where I enjoy my family and my many animals: horses, donkey, goats, cats, and dogs. I love the outdoors and reading and writing about serious matters. View profile
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36 Comments
Post a CommentMy sister told me about flosspop and suggested that I should try it for my special education students. Believe it or not it worked.
I think a Flosspop would be a hit with children and adults. Judge for yourself www.Flosspop.com
McDonald's will only do it if they can prove it has a high marketing value that will bring them lots of money.
This is intriguing to say the least.
Good that McDonald is thinking about the children's dental health. Kids can always wait until they get to the car or go the the rest room to floss; it's not a good idea to floss in public. Very good write.
Very interesting, and not a bad idea as long as they don't put them in the kids meals, and people don't use the floss at the table.
interesting article!!!!!!!!!!
McDonald's and dental floss. It just doesn't seem to fit! Great article!
Great reporting job!
Thirty postings? Let me go see if you made AC "Featured" yet again! Oh, also, nice writeup. Remember when fries used to be called "shoestrings?" This is sort of like that! -- Mike