McDonald's anti-obesity proposal fails

Fast food chain McDonald's has rejected for a second time an anti-obesity proposal tabled in response to the growing epidemic of childhood obesity fuelled by junk food.

Your Health reported McDonald's executives robustly defended their brand. Outgoing Chief Executive Jim Skinner said "We're proud of the changes we've made to our menu. We've done more than anybody in the industry around fruits and vegetables and variety and choice." Meanwhile incoming CEO Don Thompson defended the McDonald's brand by saying that his own two children eat at McDonald's. According to Province Thompson stated "I would never do anything to hurt them or any other children, nor would we as a corporation ... Do me the honor, and our entire organization, of not associating us with doing something that is damaging to children. We have been very responsible." McDonald's has added a variety of salads to its menu and apple slices to its Happy Meals for children, but its core products remain rich in fat and heavy in calories. The anti-obesity proposal was backed by business watchdog Corporate Accountability International and endorsed by 2,500 health professionals. However only 6.4 percent of shareholders voted in favor of the proposal as directors recommended voting against what it termed "unnecessary and redundant."