Mothers advise fast food chain on its menu

THE McDonald’s fast food chain is combating claims of super-sizing the nation by letting Irish mothers help change its menu.

The panel of mothers welcomed moves to improve the menu and to offer consumers more information and backed warnings from experts that fast food should only be a treat in a child’s diet.

Over the past 18 months, the five mothers gave their opinions on the outlet’s food and the changes they wanted made.

McDonald’s said it decided to deal with negative media coverage on obesity by going straight to the consumer and setting up the panel, headed byOlympic medal-winning runner Sonia O’Sullivan.

Water, fruit juice and milk can now be purchased instead of fizzy drinks.

The chain said it is also committed to using grapeseed oil for all cooking within the next two years.

The panel also followed McDonald’s products through the food chain — visiting a dairy farm in Killarney, beef provider in Portlaoise, and free range egg supplier in Monaghan.

Adrienne Byrne, from Waterford city, said: “I am now happy about bringing my children to McDonald’s because I feel I know a lot more about it, its producers, and what’s in the food.”

Spokeswoman Lucy Murray said McDonald’s has never had anything to hide, but wanted consumers’ input before making changes to its menu.

Aveen Bannon, a consultant dietician with the Dublin Nutrition Centre, said: “Having fruit and water is a big improvement, but I’d love to see a brown bread option available with a burger and more salad added to it.”