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McDonald's new menu platform spotlights lower-calorie offerings

July 23, 2012

McDonald's USA is introducing this week its "Favorites Under 400 Calories" – a new menu platform featuring existing food and beverage choices at restaurants nationwide. Select items from the new menu also are spotlighted in McDonald's "Win When USA Wins Gold" promotion, an Olympics-themed online experience.

"Favorites Under 400 Calories is one more way we're making nutrition information accessible. Like our mobile app, this platform aims to empower our customers and employees to make choices that are right for their nutrition needs," said Neil Golden, chief marketing officer, McDonald's USA. "We've found that customers are surprised to learn about the calorie content of some of their favorite menu options at McDonald's. In fact, customers may be surprised to know that about 80 percent of national menu choices are under 400 calories for the standard recipe."

Favorites Under 400 Calories also engages customers in the excitement of the Olympic Games through the "Win When USA Wins Gold" promotion, beginning July 24. Customers have two ways to win. Select items from the new menu contain a game piece and customers can peel and win prizes instantly including free McDonald's Favorites Under 400 Calories menu items. Additionally, all game pieces have a code that customers can enter at www.USAWinsGold.com. From this site, customers compete alongside the Team USA Olympians for a chance to win prizes whenever the USA wins a gold medal in a specified event. Prizes include $25,000 in gold, trips to London and Panasonic VIERA HDTVs.

Customers can access McDonald's nutrition information for food and beverage choices on mcdonalds.com, McDonald's mobile app, toll-free customer experience and insights line, in-restaurant brochures, reverse side of tray liners and select menu packaging. They also can use the online tool My Meal Builder to mix and match food and beverage choices and view nutrition and ingredient information for customized menu choices.

"McDonald's is bringing greater awareness to calories starting with some of customers' favorite menu items for under 400 calories," said Cindy Goody, PhD, MBA, RD, McDonald's USA senior director of nutrition. "With Favorites Under 400 Calories, we hope to help customers understand how their choices fit within their daily recommended calorie needs, particularly with portion sizing and eating in moderation."

London 2012 marks McDonald's ninth consecutive Olympics as the Official Restaurant.

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