Originally Posted By gaston lives LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- Walt Disney Co. said on Monday it is putting limits on the calorie, fat and sugar it will allow in packaged foods it markets to children using the faces of Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters. The move comes amid widening media focus on the growing number of obese and overweight children in the United States. It also follows the expiration this year of a decade-long exclusive deal Disney (down $0.13 to $30.98, Charts) had to promote its films in McDonald's Corp.'s (down $0.02 to $42.09, Charts) fast-food kids' Happy Meals. In a statement, Disney said it has outlined new guidelines for the foods it will allow to carry one of its licenses. For instance, added sugar in those foods will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 25 percent of calories for snacks. Total fat will not exceed 30 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 35 percent for snacks. Disney has also pledged to eliminate artery-clogging trans fats from both the food served at its theme parks and in its licensed and promotional products. "The Disney brand and characters are in a unique position to market food that kids will want and parents will feel good about giving them," Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger said in a statement. The timetable for implementing the new policies will depend on existing licensing contracts, most of which will expire within the next two years. The company said most of its licensed products and promotional tie-ins will meet the new guidelines by the end of 2008. Food served at Disney theme parks will be free of trans fats by the end of 2007, the company said. Disney shares edged down 11 cents, or 0.35 percent, to $31.00 in early afternoon trade on the New York Stock Exchange.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 yesp- I just posted the same on the Disney Dining thread -- I just hope it doesn't mean Beef Consomme vs the Beer Cheese Soup at Le Cellier. While I agree with the incentive, transforming 'all' concerns me some. What ever happened to people making choices ?
Originally Posted By MPierce I have concerns also when other people decide how to tell me to eat. Healthier choices should be offered at WDW, however I would like to make the choice of what I eat.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I don't like foods rich in fats and cholesterol when I am on vacation. I can diet at home.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey The whole point of vacation is to not worry about what you're eating. It's about letting go of the every day concerns and eating an ice cream sandwich at 10:00 am if the mood strikes you. If they can eliminate trans fats and make their fried foods more healthfully fried, I'm all for it. But if I'm stuck eating sprouts and stale bread on vacation, I won't be too happy.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I think it's a plus in the right direction. I also belive that you should be able to choose. If you want all the sugar or one with less sugar and fat.
Originally Posted By gaston lives I don't think they'll get rid of things like steak, burgers, dogs, etc. I mean, they have their place in the park. I love a good bratwurst, but it's good to have a healthy option, or healthier meal altogether. I mean, usually you can get by with changing a few items in your recipes and you'll eat healthier without losing much, if any, taste.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN It's just another hotwash news item. Yet another way for a company to paint itself as "interested" in their clientele... That I will believe when they finally stop selling those disgusting turkey legs and fatty Dole Whips.
Originally Posted By basas I couldn't care less as long as they don't REPLACE things like fries with apple sauce and carrot sticks. Sorry...I know it is unhealthy, but I am a burgers and fries type of person, not burger and apple sauce, or some flatbread with a billion 'exotic' vegetables thrown on top.
Originally Posted By danyoung >...and fatty Dole Whips.< Dole Whips are fatty? Aren't they just pineapple juice and ice?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN ..with a TON of sugar added to them, so yes, they are fatty... like most of us.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I believe the only real change coming to theme park dining is the phasing out of hydrogenated oils. These oils are chemically altered so that they stay solid at room temperature which in turn expands their shelf life exponentially. Recent studies have raised the alarm about how damaging hydrogenated oils are to the human body. Disney, like other major companies, is taking steps to remove these oils from all levels of food preparation. It is a monumental task and will be very expensive but rest assured, your theme park food (though you won't notice a change) will be healthier.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Well, HECK!! Who in the world goes ta Walt Dizzy Whirl just so's they can eat HEALTHY, anyways?! Orwen sure don't! An' I just goes fer the FROGS, my own dang self!
Originally Posted By ChiMike >> I believe the only real change coming to theme park dining is the phasing out of hydrogenated oils. These oils are chemically altered so that they stay solid at room temperature which in turn expands their shelf life exponentially. Recent studies have raised the alarm about how damaging hydrogenated oils are to the human body. Disney, like other major companies, is taking steps to remove these oils from all levels of food preparation. It is a monumental task and will be very expensive but rest assured, your theme park food (though you won't notice a change) will be healthier.<< And that is a very good thing. Even while I agree that peoples' habits don't need to be policed, this specifically is a change that really is a win/win in the long term.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Win-win for who?? Disney can serve up all the healthiest food on Earth they can, but as long as such guests in need of it do not lift an dumbell or do cardio... it'll be a fat chance in hell (no pun intended) they will live healthier or even loose weight. They want to make a change for the better..? then STOP selling McDonald's fries and Dorito and Lay's chips bags on property.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Sure, in the grand scheme of things, if they are serious they might scale back their fry cart aspirations. The things is that it really is true that a large segment of Disney diehards will buy anything that has Disney stamped on it. Right down to the $59.99 Disney labeled cardboard box toy. So, if there is an obesity problem within the Disney fan community, at least they will be choosing their loyalty to 'Everything Disney does = good" to their preference for saturated fats at the grocery aisles. I understand that there is hypocricy on many levels, but this move when it comes to food preparation at Disney parks, is, imo, a win-win.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Maybe they're thinking ahead to avoid law suits from guests who became over weight on their vacations and might want to sue the Disney company--claiming that Disney made them fat! ORGOCH: Hey! Sure worked fer that lady suin' McDonalds--er so she thought!
Originally Posted By gaston lives I think they're just trying to curb future costs of ride maintenance...lighter people dont' put as much pressure on the ride, ya know?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: (Gasp!) You've been talking to a certain nasty old biddy about me, haven't you, gaston lives?!?!?!!
