McDonald's is changing its Happy Meals to make them healthier for children.
By next April, all McDonald's restaurants will automatically offer apples with its Happy Meals along with a smaller portion of French fries. Kids currently have a choice between fries or apple slices. The caramel sauce that comes with apples will also be phased out.
There could be regional or seasonal differences in side options like carrots, pineapple slices or raisins instead of apples.
But McDonald's only went so far. A toy will still come with each Happy Meal despite criticism that the trinkets, often with tie-ins to movies like "Toy Story," foster a powerful connection between children and the often calorie-laden meals.
While Happy Meals account for less than 10 percent of all McDonald’s sales, the signature box and its contents was first introduced in 1979.
Other restaurant chains have gone further than McDonald’s in acceding to calls for improving the fare on children’s menus and eliminating marketing appeals.
In June, Jack in the Box announced the end of toys in its children’s meals, and this month, Burger King, IHOP and more than a dozen other restaurant chains backed an effort led by the National Restaurant Association to serve and promote healthier options for youngsters.
McDonald's estimates the changes will translate into a 20% reduction in both calories and saturated fat per happy meal.
