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Corporate Accountability International will release a report on Wednesday looking at how McDonald's uses Ronald McDonald as a marketing tool to market unhealthy products to children. The report includes information on childhood obesity rates, health and how Americans see Ronald McDonald.
"For nearly 50 years McDonald's and its iconic clown Ronald have hooked kids on unhealthy food, spurring a deadly epidemic," Deborah Lapidus, senior organizer for CAI, told Slashfood.
"The report is ultimately making the case that it's time McDonald's stopped targeting our kids directly with fast food marketing," Lapidus said. "Ronald deserves a break and so do we."
McDonald's, however, says Ronald McDonald is a "beloved brand ambassador" for the fast-food chain. "He is the heart and soul of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which lends a helping hand to families in their time of need, particularly when families need to be near their critically-ill children in hospitals. In fact, 4 million children are helped every year around the world through the Ronald McDonald House Charities," the company told Slashfood in a statement.
"Ronald also helps deliver messages to families on many important subjects such as safety, literacy, and the importance of physical activity and making balanced food choices."
Corporate Accountability International plans to hold nearly two dozen events at McDonald's restaurants and at colleges around the country Wednesday as it announces the contents of its report on Ronald McDonald, the Tribune reported.
Events are being held in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Greensboro, N.C., Minneapolis, San Francisco and Burlington, Vt., among other locations.
"Ultimately we want to reverse an epidemic that is taking the lives of millions of people every year," Lapidus told Slashfood. That begins, she said, with eliminating the "cradle to grave" marketing of unhealthy food.
The advocacy group has also launched campaigns against bottled water and tobacco companies.
3-30-2010 @9:08AM Blockhead said... Does my family go to McDonalds? No. Do I think the government should be involved in one more iota of my life. And although this article doesn't mention it, there are elected officials in CA that are supporting this groups bid to excorcise Ronald. Nooooo! Leave that (somewhat scary and creepy) clown alone!
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3-30-2010 @10:04AM -_- said... if your kid is fat, why can’t you blame the parent and not Ronald McDonald.
What about every breakfast cereal that is targeted towards kids or video games for that matter. Don’t they add to child obesity too?
3-30-2010 @4:23PM neelah said... They have tons of salads at McD's, too! Give Ronald a break.
3-30-2010 @5:52PM Al Schrader said... I've been known to make comments about McD shrinking hamburgers under billion watt heatlamps, etc. but I'm hard pressed to find anything bad about McD food. The fries are made from potatoes, the burgers from beef, the shakes from milk & ice cream/dairy, all good American foods.
It all comes in size small, perfect for small eaters. Having a clown promote it, or a pink dinosaur, or a purple puppet, or a little green lizard, or Mexican dog, etc. is not unhealthy & only adds atmosphere. It's a choice. Go to Wendy's , etc....Alfred-
3-30-2010 @6:23PM Panda said... "-_-" Took the words right out of my mouth. I was about to say, if they take away Ronald, might as well ditch ALL the advertisements. Goodbye Fred Flinstone for Fruity Pebbles. Goodbye Wendy. Goodbye, King. Goodbye, Colonel Sanders. Goodbye Tucan Sam. Goodbye-well, you get the point.
3-30-2010 @6:32PM Dave said... This is just the beginning of Obamacare. Sorry to politicize this but it is. You WILL be told what to eat and if you dont agree you WILL be taxed as a punishment. Your bodies are now wards of the Obama Nation.
3-30-2010 @6:55PM Nick Janeteas said... So who's next. The Burger King?
3-30-2010 @9:13PM a Man said... TO THE CAI-----Just because you, as parents, are too LAZY to do some actual parenting and teach your kids how to eat correctly, do not blame a corporate logo like Ronald McDonald.
A lesson that my father taught me---over 30 years ago---is that when you point a finger at someone else, there are three more pointing right back at you (point a finger out, look at your hand and you will see what he meant). The CAI should do the same. The ONLY way that their kids would know who Ronald McDonald is would be if their kids watched hours upon hours of TV every day instead of exercising. I think you have gotten my point.
4-06-2010 @9:25PM Ray Runnels said... The Problem is not McDonalds. It is the fact that children are home alone and if they are not they cannot leave their home or apartment without tresspassing on someone's property. If they have money then they can go to the Y or their family owns property, or they are members of hunting clubs then they can get out and about. If these previous things are not the case then they get to stay home and play Video games and do not burn off the FOOD.
3-30-2010 @10:02PM StartThinking said... Folks, take a moment and go to the CAI website. Their officers and board members are completely Progressive. And are proud of it! Most have never held a job outside the "non-profit" realm and rely completely on donations which carry a tax benefit. No "evil profits" for these folks! Activism. Social Justice. Human Rights. THEY KNOW what is best for us! We're too stupid to figure it out! We need to just shut up and let their kind make the right decisions for the planet!
3-30-2010 @10:16PM Michael said... Ronald Mcdonald is the main representative of Ronald Mcdonald House. By my estimation the number one charity in the world. What about the King From Burger King or Wendy the girl with the pigtails? They are just as guilty, but none of the three are buying food for anyone.
3-30-2010 @10:29PM s said... Couldn't agree more! I am so sick of parents who blame their childrens problems on outside sources. The reason your kid is fat is because of the parent. Thankfully, I had great parents who managed to equally balance healthy meals and snacks with fast food and junk food. I ate so unhealthily as a teenager but the reason i'm still skinny is because as a small child my parents enforced healthy meals and I never really gained weight.
3-30-2010 @11:10PM BTDT said... There's nothing more troublesome than a bunch of old biddies who don't have to go to work in the morning.
3-30-2010 @11:41PM lita said... Dave, your response to blockhead shows just what a stupid ass you are. This has nothing to do with Obamacare. (No one buys your "sorry to politicize" BS, because that is exactly what you meant to do.) For your information, "Obamacare" as you call it isn't even a week old, and you think they have something to do with this. (You should eat a large serving of fish; word has it that it is brain food. Maybe you should eat a whale.) There are people who are out there trying to remove transfats, sodium, and all sorts of things. They warned against Chinese food, Mexican food, movie theater popcorn.... Blame it on "health nuts" if you like, but try be less obvious in your irrational hatred. (And your dry cleaner called; he said the eye holes in your white hood have been reinforced as you requested and it is ready for you to pick up.)
4-01-2010 @12:49AM Raven_Incongnito said... Hello
Hmm Retire the red headed clown?!? the Clown that has brought so many smiles to chilren across the world
and has touched and changed so many lives,even saved a few with the ronald macdonald house are they
F*CKING NUTS!!! that is like saying ok go ahead and take the food and homesnd medical needs away from
those people they help. this nation is turning for the worst a communistic country what happened to rights
before you know it they will be telling us how to breath,how to think,what to wear,who to marry,mm oh wait all
this has already been done to one point or another.YO!! what happened to telling a kid NO,what happened to
bieng a real parent what is with this "no no dear "" well ok go ahead you going to any way"" WTF!! Parents
Raise your kids.,instead of blaming everyone else for your short coming in raising a kid,if you need help go to a
parenting class DUH!! put the blame where it belongs (YOU!)
HEY people dont you realize every thing is conected in oneway or another.
take away te clown,people they help get less help.(same people retired the camel mascot hmm)
not to mention on another note the whole trying to stop people from smoking-completly understand people do
not like secondhand smoke-ok fine it is our right and stupidity if we choose to smoke.
HEY GUESS WHAT ban smoking go ahead dum dums that will effect so much at least half of the taxes from
smoking pay for medical programs,plus they own some of the companies that make the so needed medicines
some of is need not to mention they owm some of the major food companies that supply our grocerery stores
with food,so go ahed stupids take away the clown (help kill people and make them homeless) take away
cigarettes,(make the cost of medical needs and price of food and living goup) go ahead see what happens)
people should do researc on how one thing will effect othe things before acting upon it..
pardon me for saying this but Im reall hating what this world is turing into knowing my kids have to deal with so
many stupid busy bodies that THINK they know what is good for every one. what is good for one person is not
always good for another hello we are ALL different unique and are INDIVIDUALS... sooner people realize this the
better.
what happend to the hippy days what happened to all the major protest WE need another wood stock (LOL)
3-30-2010 @11:05AM Momof8crzykids said... I wonder who thinks this stuff up?? Really, do we force kids to eat at McDonalds?? Does Ronald??
No, I think not.
This hit a hot spot with me. We had to stay at Ronald McDonald houses on and off for about 7 years. My daughter has since passed away about 5 years ago.
This brings us to present day when my now 20yr. old son comes home from work and announces he heard about this on the radio. My 18 yr. old daughter immediately said "that was the highlight of our day when Ronald would vistit the hospital and the Ronald Mc Donald house, they can't get rid of him!!"
My son who announced this agreed whole heartly with her. He was only 9 at the time, and she was only 6. My daughter who passed away loved it when he'd visit her in the hospital room.
My husband and I have 8 children, and all of them have been benefitted from Ronald McDonald in one way or another.
Do I think of food when someone mentions "Ronald McDonald"?
No, I don't.
As parents, it is our job to monitor what our children put into their mouths.
Ronald McDonald is so much more than "targeting our kids directly with fast food marketing".
He brings comfort to sick children and to their families, giving us good memories that can last a lifetime.
To take away Ronald McDonald would be a very serious mistake.
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3-30-2010 @5:44PM james said... get a life losers!!! just because your a crappy parent and can't cook your kid a healthy meal stop placing the blame where blame shouldnt be placed. not on a corporate clown but on yourself. the real problem with america isn't childhood obeisity it's not taking responisbility for your own actions. does anybody really believe that kids will stop eating mcdonalds if their was no ronald mcdonald? i dont think so. if your a parent thats for this i think its time for you to grow up and stop placing the blame on an advertisment.
3-30-2010 @8:51PM Kev said... Thank You!
4-16-2010 @6:32PM RobertH. said... Well now, seems like someone has hit a nerve! Should Ronald McDonald step down, I really don't think so nor care...I would never take my kids there for food, McDonald's is deceptive, they are responsible for dismemberment of the meat industry workers fingers and health, I would guess deceptive marketing as well with there point marketing to African Americans...hmmm, just like Kentucky Fried Chicken!
Ya got to admit, some parents just aren't smart, and probably should have to take a test just to become parents, but I got I tell ya, people I see in McDonald's really are 'obese"...but the play area sure is fun!
3-30-2010 @11:43AM michael said... I have a better idea. Let's retire all the clowns in D.C. and elect Ronald McDonald!!
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