Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

[Washington Post]

The only obstacle between kids and their french fries: Mom.

So here is Debra DeMuth, McDonald’s global nutrition director, mounting a spirited defense of fries to five mothers of young children at a McDonald’s in Baltimore.

“They are probably one of the most victimized foods,” DeMuth says.

Plausible reason: A medium order at McDonald’s, besides the delectable taste, includes 380 calories, 270 milligrams of sodium and a color preservative called sodium acid pyrophosphate. But DeMuth presses her case, pointing out that fries are rich in potassium, adding, “They are also a really good source of fiber.”

One mom replies, “Once you throw them in grease, you kind of ruin it.”

Another says, “Potassium is good in bananas.”

This is the tricky dialogue that results when the world’s largest fast-food chain extols the quality of its food to a group of people — busy moms — who often need food fast but don’t necessarily trust fast food, especially with worries over obesity sweeping the nation. But McDonald’s thinks it has a positive case to make and has recruited mothers to go behind the scenes of the company’s operations, meet senior executives and then communicate what they see via the Web, along with appearing in video of their travels.

The idea behind the company’s Quality Correspondents program: If McDonald’s can win over moms by showcasing food quality (the eggs in Egg McMuffins are real) and highlighting healthful options, the company can brighten its image at a crucial time in the arc of the fast-food industry. Customers, bombarded with news about food recalls, are paying more attention to safety, quality and ingredients — despite still not wanting to wait very long for their lunch. The message takes on heightened importance now, as strapped parents bargain in their heads over whether a McDonald’s meal can take the place of higher-priced options.

Read more here.

[From me]

380 calories!  I just had my last order of french fries.  If I really need Potassium, I will eat a Banana. Consumers are much smarter than we were 20 years ago.  You can dress up fries anyway you want but saying they are good for you isn’t going to work!

What do you think?