McDonald's Corporation Pressured to Fire Ronald McDonald

The McDonald's Corporation has recently been experiencing the effects of demands made by healthcare professionals and organizations that have worked together signing documentation in the form of a letter. The letter involves putting a stop to promoting junk food to children using Ronald McDonald to promote such food.

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal's Wednesday May 18^th 2011 issue in the Marketplace section written by Julie Jargon, this letter composed of signatures totaling over 550 health pros, is set to run as full page ads over six metro area newspapers nationwide. Reference to McDonalds greatly contributing to today's poor health epidemic was mentioned in the letter, along with a request for a "broad societal response" regarding that. Health professionals are taking issue with marketing measures using Ronald McDonald and feel this shouldn't be ignored any longer as they are seen by health pros as a part of our enormous health crisis.

In a response statement, a McDonald's spokesperson said that the corporation is committed to advertising that is responsible and serious with regard to messages sent to children. The McDonald's representative went on to say that their corporation understands the importance of kid's health with regard to the nutrition aspect of their food. McDonald's commitment to being part of a dialogue to find a solution was also included in this statement.

In defense of the nutrition within happy meals, McDonald's pointed out that the choice offered along with portion variety were significant in addressing children's health. The fact that these meals are often times appreciated via being voiced in a positive way by parents was included in the statement as well.

Some of the healthcare professionals that have signed the letter include the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition, and well known names like Dr. Andrew Weil, a wholistic minded doctor and director for the Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine, along with other nutritionists.

The Wall Street article goes on to say that food manufacturers who regularly market to children are becoming more scrutinized, and that regulators on the federal level are looking into standards that they will ask food manufacturers to remain within when they market to kids.

Source: Wall Street Journal May 18th Marketplace issue