News

KFC Australia drops kids' meal toys

August 24, 2011

As of this week, the 600 KFC units in Australia will no longer include toys in its kids' meals, the company announced.

According to the Herald Sun, the move to drop the toys comes three years after the chain stopped advertising specifically toward children.

Zac Rich, KFC corporate affairs manager, told the newspaper that the decision was made because it is the "right thing to do," even though it is expected to have a negative effect on profits.

QSR chains in the U.S. have been under fire to abandon their kids' meal toy promotions. San Francisco voted to ban McDonald's Happy Meals because their inclusion, as well as their marketing messages toward children, may be contributing to skyrocketing child obesity rates.

In Australia, one in four children are overweight or obese, a record level for the country.

Read more about health and nutrition.