In an effort to defend itself against the prevailing opinion that its food is unhealthy, McDonald's began inviting mothers from across the country to get an inside look at how its food is made. Touring everything from a bun factory to the kitchen of a McDonald's restaurant, the moms saw that fast food is, indeed, real food.
Marion Nestle, an outspoken leader of the food police, predictably criticized the company and its volunteers. "Somebody must have figured out that what they [McDonald's] need is good PR on transparency. Those mothers are willing to be used for that purpose," she said. ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross says, "She's basically accusing the mothers of being conspirators, when they are just giving their opinion."
ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan also rejects the idea that food at McDonald's is categorically "junk food." "A cheeseburger is a nutrient-dense food. And French fries have similar nutritional value to a baked potato with butter," she points out. ACSH's Dr. Ruth Kava has written about people who ate nothing but McDonald's food for thirty days and actually lost weight and improved their health.
Meanwhile, the debate over advertising fast food to children continues with a new study examining whether a ban could reduce childhood obesity rates. "Advertising clearly has an impact on people, but the researchers said it's not at all clear that banning fast food advertisement would actually have an impact on obesity," Dr. Kava explains.