AP: Disney to Serve Healthier Food at Parks

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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Walt Disney Co. will begin serving more nutritionally balanced meals at its domestic theme parks and will sign movie and other endorsement deals only with restaurants that limit fat and sugar in menu items, the company said Monday.

Trans fats will be eliminated from meals at domestic parks by the end of next year, and will not be included in licensed and promotional products by 2008, Disney said.

Disney CEO Robert Iger said the move came in response to comments from parents about the eating habits of their children.

The company was "well aware of the huge responsibility we have, given our reach and our ability to impact people's behavior and opinions," Iger told The Associated Press from Singapore, where he was on business.

Given the increased attention to healthier eating, "it was the right thing to do," he said.

Continues
 
A similiar article was posted by Dow Jones:

Disney Adds Pressure On McDonald's To Go Trans-Fat Free

October 16, 2006: 14:32 p.m. EST

DES MOINES, Iowa (Dow Jones) -- The get-out-the-trans-fats bandwagon gained momentum Monday as Mickey Mouse jumped aboard.

In announcing that food sold in its theme parks and resorts will be trans-fat free by the end of next year, Walt Disney Co. (DIS) added its weight to pressure building on fast-food giant McDonald's Corp. (MCD) and others to eliminate the artery-clogging substance from their menus - something the restaurateurs say is much easier to say than do.

McDonald's, for example, has been testing french fries made in trans-fat free oils in the U.S. for months, but as yet apparently isn't satisfied that the new fries will be as savory to customers as the old ones, known as the industry's gold standard.

At the same time, in responding to Disney's decision, McDonald's issued a statement saying "we welcome Disney's announced first steps. It is clear Disney shares McDonald's commitment to choice and variety."

Although McDonald's didn't directly address what impact the trans-fats ban might have on food it sells on Disney property, the company said, "Our testing for significant reductions is ongoing."

"We are making progress and remain confident we will achieve our objective of significant reductions," it added, without giving a timetable.

Fast-food rival Wendy's International Inc. (WEN) went trans-fat free earlier this year, and others in the industry are known to be working on similar efforts.

Pressure for them to do so also came from New York City health authorities' recent goal of making restaurants there trans-fat free, although such a mandate is expected to encounter substantial resistance from the restaurant industry.

Along with its french fries, McDonald's uses oils containing trans fats to cook chicken products, such as McNuggets, which are served at some Disney locations.

Becoming trans-fat free poses significant challenges for its chefs. A nutrition breakdown of its menu, posted on the company Web site, shows that most sandwiches, from a plain hamburger to its premium crispy chicken classic, contain small amounts of trans fat.

Many chicken items have some trans fats, although salads made with grilled chicken do not.

At breakfast, McDonald's items containing at least traces of trans fats include biscuits, sausage McGriddles, hash browns and cinnamon rolls. Milk shakes also contain trans fat.

In its response to Disney's announcement, McDonald's noted that "a significant portion of our advertising is dedicated to communicating the importance of balanced, active lifestyles to children."

The company said it was "pleased that Disney intends to use its marketing know-how to do the same."

Shares of McDonald's were trading recently at $42.05, down 6 cents, on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares of Disney, also a Big Board stock, were trading at $ 31.03, down 8 cents.

-By Richard Gibson, Dow Jones Newswires; 515-282-6830; dick.gibson@ dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires 10-16-06 1432ET Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
 
Anohter related article from the Orlando Sentinel:

Change on Disney's plate
Theme parks move toward healthful foods for kids and adults.

Scott Powers | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 17, 2006

Carrots, apples and low-fat milk are replacing french fries and soda at Walt Disney World as the company adopts a new attitude toward theme-park food, especially for kids.

Soon, visitors to Disney World and other Disney theme parks might have to search for big portions of junk food because they'll be pushed to the bottoms of menus. Snacks will get smaller and less sugary. Burgers, french fries and pizza will be less fatty. Items such as fruit on a stick will show up more.

Walt Disney Co. President Robert Iger on Monday announced a two-year plan to improve nutrition not just in the theme parks but in any food the company sells, brands or promotes. That includes foods in restaurants that offer Disney toys and consumer products available in some stores, including Publix Super Markets.

Iger told The Associated Press the move was in response to comments from parents about the eating habits of their children.

The company was "well aware of the huge responsibility we have, given our reach and our ability to impact people's behavior and opinions," Iger said from Singapore, where he was on business.

Disney's changes begin with children's meals but will affect adult foods as well, Disney officials said. Calories, fat, saturated fat, sodium and sugar will be restricted in all children-focused foods, from chicken nuggets to ice-cream snacks. Trans fats will be cut from foods by the end of 2007 in the theme parks and the end of 2008 for Disney foods sold elsewhere.

Disney's not alone. SeaWorld Orlando and its parent company, Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, on Monday also announced a commitment to healthful foods. SeaWorld is restricting calories, fats and sugars in some foods, has converted a whole restaurant, Mama's Kitchen, to nutritious foods and is offering fruit alternatives to fries.

Want fries with that?

Some changes are already in place at Disney World. Children's meals come with carrots, applesauce or grapes, low-fat milk, water or 100 percent fruit juice.

If children want fries or soda, they will have to make special requests. And some fried foods such as chicken nuggets are now free of added trans fats and cooked in oils free of trans fats, Disney said.

"It's a first good step. It's seen as a long-term project," said Dr. Keith Thomas Ayoob, a New York pediatric nutritionist and associate clinical professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Ayoob was hired by Disney with Dr. James O. Hill of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado to help overhaul its food offerings. "Believe it or not, Disney wanted to make even more sweeping, drastic changes. Dr. Hill and I said, let's slow down . . . and make it a long-term commitment."

Menu options change

Some of the wholesome-food options have been in place for months at some of Disney's fast-service restaurants.

"It's a nice change of pace from the burger and fries," said Ann Jensen of Minneapolis, whose young daughters Allison and Molly were eating deli sandwiches and grapes at Disney-MGM Studios. "I like having the choice."

Still, those wishing for broad offerings may have to wait.

Christina Topaloglou, on vacation from New York City with her family at Disney-MGM on Monday, pointed to the applesauce and cup of fruit that her daughters, Ioli Baltas, 8, and Yves Baltas, 4, were eating with their chicken nuggets. "That's not a meal; it's a snack," she said.

Topaloglou said her family is conscious about eating healthful foods and never eats fried foods, except on this trip. She knows more healthful options may be available in full-service restaurants, but they're not practical, so they eat what they find on the run. Even without trans fats, the nuggets didn't impress her. "We feel that after three days here we're going to spend a week at home on food cleansing," she said.

Beware the finicky eaters

A Universal Orlando official said that company offers fruits and salads in some restaurants, but attempts to sell fruit everywhere in the parks were ended because they weren't popular.

That's one of the issues Disney and SeaWorld may face: You can lead kids to broccoli, but can you make them eat it?

Yes, said Linda Warren, a vice president at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Many of the comfort foods people expect in theme parks will always be there -- they just won't be as bad, she said.

"We want to make sure what we do is still tasty. We want the look and texture and taste that is still pleasing to guests," Warren said. "We're going to look to offer the nutritional value. We'll look for a lower-fat cheese, a different crust for the pizza . . ."

In a written statement issued by Disney, Margo Wootan, nutrition-policy director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a public-nutrition-advocacy center, called Disney's announcement "welcome news."

For the next step, she called on Disney and its parent company, ABC, to re-examine the food advertising it accepts.
 
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Expands Well-Balanced Meals for Kids
All Kids Meals to Have More Balance with Nutritious Sides and Beverages

All Added Trans Fats to be Eliminated for Kids and Adults by the End of 2007

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of The Walt Disney Company’s new food guidelines to promote healthier kids’ diets, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts today announced that well-balanced meals for children will now become the standard offering at Disney-operated restaurants and kiosks at its U.S. parks. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced a plan to eliminate all added trans fats and improve the nutritional value and enhance the taste of most of its food offerings for kids and adults by the end of 2007.

The Walt Disney Company’s new food guidelines, which were announced on October 16, are aimed at giving parents and children healthier eating options. The guidelines will govern Disney’s business partnerships and activities in the U.S. on a going-forward basis and will be adapted internationally over the next several years. In addition to the efforts at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products has already begun to offer many licensed products that comply with the guidelines.

“By developing nutritional guidelines for children, the Disney Company is demonstrating a long-term commitment to the health of kids,” said Dr. James Hill, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. “The guidelines are comprehensive and consistent with The Dietary Guidelines for Americans that are issued by the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services.”

Well-Balanced Kids Meals

Designed to encourage better eating habits with more nutritious side dishes and beverages, the revised kids meals have been available since the beginning of October. They include a beverage choice of low fat milk, 100 percent fruit juice or water and a side dish such as unsweetened applesauce, baby carrots or fresh fruit.

“This is a terrific initiative because it makes it easier for parents, even while on vacation, to provide their children with a well-balanced meal with kid appeal,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “An overwhelming majority of parents tell us they prefer the more nutritious meals for their children over other options.”

Millions of children’s meals were served last year at Disney’s 180 restaurants and more than 200 food carts and kiosks. More nutritious side dishes and beverages, which have been available within the parks and resorts for the last three years, are now being offered prominently on menus and in signage as the standard children’s meal, rather than as a secondary choice.

Guest research conducted last summer at pilot locations in Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort, where 20,000 revised kids’ meals were served, showed that 77 to 90 percent of the parents, respectively, stayed with fruit or vegetable side options when they were offered first. Recognizing that visits to Disney parks are vacations, parents will still be able to request more indulgent meals and snacks from a wide variety of food offerings.

Out With the Added Trans Fat

As part of a pilot program, The ESPN Zone restaurant, located at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California, and the ABC Commissary at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, removed added trans fat from chicken tenders, French fries and frying oils – and the reviews have been good. Guest research conducted at the Downtown Disney ESPN Zone showed that 71 percent of Guests rated the taste of the fries as “excellent” or “very good.”

“The food & beverage teams at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts want to use our creativity and innovation to partner with parents in making well-balanced meals appealing, accessible, great tasting and fun,” said Mary Niven, vice president, Disneyland Resort Food and Beverage.

Other New Items on the Menu

In addition to removing all added trans fats from foods served in the parks and resorts over the next 12 months, Disney will be constantly looking for ways to improve the nutritional profiles and taste of its most popular entrees, including low fat and vegetarian options.

Other changes include:

Introducing a new Guest-tested hamburger formulation with fat content not to exceed 20 percent and hamburger buns with 10 percent whole wheat
Testing new pizza offerings with lower bread and lower-fat cheese content
Working with manufacturers in reformulating recipes for candy, packaged foods and bakery items sold at the parks or identifying replacement products and ensuring compelling packaging for the more nutritious food offerings as well as portion-controlled snacks and treats.


(a) According to the Food and Drug Administration, “trans fat is made when manufacturers add hydrogen to vegetable oil, a process called hydrogenation. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. This process increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods that contain these fats. Like saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, trans fat raises the risk of heart disease.”
 
Great, that 1 week a year eating right will help a lot. :rolleyes:
 
Disney CEO Robert Iger said the move came in response to comments from parents about the eating habits of their children.
Is that not the parents responsibility and not the mouse house resposibility. . . .
 
Well, I think this is great news! It's pretty scary how food has gradually become less nutritious over time -- trans fats and sugar sneaking into all kinds of things, for example -- and if it's a subtle change that nobody would even notice, like chicken tenders fried in trans fat-free oil, how could it possibly be any skin off anyone's nose? :confused3

I remember when Disney first added fresh fruit stands to the MK, and it was such a relief to be able to get an apple rather than a plate of fries if I wanted a little something. What's wrong with more choices?
 
Nothing wrong with more choices, and nothing wrong with getting rid of the trans fats. As long as I have the option of ordering mac and cheese for my kids instead of a chicken breast, or fries instead of apple sauce, its great.
 
I agree with Raidermatt in that I hope it is a choice and not just a forced thing. I usually try to eat pretty healthy when not visiting Disney so I like to indulge a bit on some of their better delicacies. I have noticed them shifting slowly over the last few years. I noticed they got rid of the cookie dough brownie at Animal Kingdom and the ham and cheese sandwiches at Epcot's Electric Umbrella. Although strangely enough, the Chocolate Mousse Cake remained. It's just fun to have some delicacies that you wouldn't normally be able to have in other venues that I hope those remain.
Besides I think people would be pretty unhappy if they got rid of the famed Turkey Leg cart in Frontierland (or have they already, haven't been there in a year or so).
 
Some changes have been to decrease costs through increased standardization of menus.
 

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