Disney, McDonald's Part Ways on a Happy Meal

Disney is ending a 10 year partnership with McDonald's in which Happy Meals bore little figurines of popular Disney characters like Nemo, Mr. Incredible and 101 Dalmatians.

The breakup coincides with the increasing criticism faced by the fast food companies for promoting unhealthy food choices to kids and thereby promoting obesity amongst children.

"I think it would have impact in contributing to the cultural change that is necessary," said Dr. J. Michael McGinnis, chairman of a National Academy of Sciences panel that just released a study showing how food marketing adversely affects children's diets. "The committee thought it was important for the use of cartoon characters that appeal to children only to be used in the marketing of healthy products."

Author Eric Schlosser of the "Fast Food Nation" said it would be "hugely significant" if Hollywood walked away from Happy Meals. "It will put more pressure on McDonald's to change what they sell in Happy Meals. The obesity issue would be irrelevant if the food in the Happy Meals was healthy."

We covered the movie rendition of the book, Fast Food Nation in a previous story.




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