This upcoming Thursday, during “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” an advertisement by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine that blames McDonalds for causing a woman’s husband to die. At the end of the commercial, there will be a play on words, instead of “I’m Loving It,” which is McDonald’s slogan, it will be, and “I was lovin it.” Even though this is quite extreme, it does send the message, that eating unhealthy amounts of processed foods, will lead to death. Even though McDonald’s has responded to “Supersize Me”- a movie claiming that McDonald’s can make you fat- in a positive way, it clearly was not extreme enough of a measure. People are still eating countless numbers of meals a week at McDonald’s and they are suffering the physical consequences.
A major reason this advertisement is debuting in Washington, DC is because the lack of nutritionally conscious choices the city is making. But it is also related to not being able to afford the high prices of produce in the less financially prosperous areas. Each year more than 1,500 Washingtonians die because of heart disease, which is the second-highest rate of such death in the United States. Another startling fact is that Washington, DC has more McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC restaurants per square mile than eight other similar-sized cities.
The ethical issue that has arisen is whether it is in the consumers’ best interest to be eating unhealthy processed food, just to make a profit for the company. McDonald’s has made alternative options available, but realistically very few people who eat at McDonald’s will choose the more nutritionally sound, alternative options. The company has also made the nutritional information available to their customers- online and in the franchises. Clearly, consumers have responded by either still eating at McDonald’s franchises, or by siding with nonprofits, such as the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, that is against fast food altogether.
A contrary to McDonald’s is the mission statement of Subway. In the Mission Statement, there was one part that I believe is an accurate portrayal of Subway,” offering value to consumers through providing great-tasting food that is good for them and made the way they like it." The consumer knows that Subway has relatively healthy options, disregarding the chips and cookies. Subway has vegetables, fresh bread, and fresh meats, which it can serve its customer at an affordable price. To become more of interest to the consumer, the company occasionally will have “Five Dollar Foot Long” Months. This is a great time for profit, and to have a sandwich without feeling ripped off.
Wall Street Journal Article-- http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704190704575490011354963240.html?mod=loomia&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r2:c0.0453364:b37296132
McDonald’s mission statement-- http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd.html
Subway Mission Statement-- http://www.subway.com/StudentGuide/s_e_welcome.htm
This was a particularly enticing post. However, I do believe at some point, the consumers are at fault. Many people, if not all, recognize that fast food is unhealthy and should be consumed in moderation, if at all. McDonald's faced a huge amount of criticism after Super Size Me was released. I believe they dealt with the criticism well, considering what happened to the main character. It is unfortunate that eating healthy in our society today costs more than eating unhealthy. It is also a shame that so many Washingtonians die a year due to heart disease because they are eating fast food. It's ridiculous to think that people are giving up their health in order to eat.
ReplyDeleteI think Subway is a better alternative as well and I respect Subway's mission statement. If only other fast food chains would use higher quality foods...But I suppose it will not happen because it has not happened thus far.
I also believe that the consumers are at fault. McDonalds responded to the Supersize me video in the correct way, making healthier options for sides rather than salty french fries. It is known that McDonalds is unhealthy. It is cheap fast food. Consumers expectations are not any higher then they should be on the quality of food they recieve. It is the consumers choice on the food they consume. If McDonalds did not have healthy options then I would hold them responsible. However, when they have apples and salads, consumers are free to make their own choice that will affect themselves. I do not see any reason for McDonalds to have to improve their menus to Obama's expectations. If you dont want the calories, then simply don't eat it.
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