Debate Rages On: Should McDonalds Ads Stop Targeting Children?
Sunday, 25 September 2011
An open letter to McDonalds, signed by 550 healthcare professionals and organizations, published in the papers a week ago, has sparked a nationwide debate on who is responsible for children's health. McDonalds is under attack for using Ron McDonald and promotional toys to attract children. Healthcare professionals blame McDonalds of spreading obesity and unhealthy eating habits in America.
But a number of writers and McDonalds CEO, while accepting the role of McDonalds in promoting junk food eating habits, have said that the responsibility lies with the parents. McDonalds uses legal promotional techniques to promote its fast food, but healthcare professionals are equating McDonalds' ads to cigarette ads in 1960s, and vehemently advocating a ban on its ads targeting the children.