Chain plans fruity fizzy drink

McDonald’s is to introduce a fizzy drink for children that promises one of their five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables.

The drink, Fruitizz, is part of the fast food giant’s efforts to improve the health credentials of its children’s meals and follows the introduction of carrot sticks, fruit bags, mineral water, and organic semi-skimmed milk to its Happy Meal menu.

The “fizzy treat” will be served from the central drinks tower at the counter, alongside other soft drink staples, as research found children saw this as “more exciting and desirable”, according to the chain.

The drink contains no added sugars, artificial colours, or flavours and blends 60% fruit juice from grapes, apples, and raspberries with natural sparkling water, giving one of the five-a-day portions, said McDonald’s.

Chief executive and president Jill McDonald said: “For the past three years, we have been working hard behind the scenes to create a fizzy drink that is unlike anything else currently available in high-street restaurants. We tried and tested 80 formulations in order to create the right product that delivers nutritional benefit as well as a new, exciting taste.”

Children’s Food Campaign spokesman Malcolm Clark said: “It’s encouraging to see companies like McDonald’s making it easier for parents to make healthier choices for their children.

“The best news for child-ren’s health will be if fruit-based drinks start to displace sugary drinks such as Coca-Cola from children’s menus in McDonald’s.”