Waking up to the calls of concerned parents and health organizations who want to promote healthier food choices for all, the leading food chain has now pulled out its soda beverages from kids’ menus. By doing so, it has joined the ranks of McDonald’s, Chipotle and Subway who have taken the lead in that respect.
Though there has been no official announcement in that regards from Wendy’s, the group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) told Fox News that the Ohio based restaurant had complied to its request.
In their statement, the CSPI noted, “While parents bear most of the responsibility for feeding their children well, restaurant chains also need to do their part.”
“Restaurants should not be setting parents up for a fight by bundling soda with meal options designed for kids. Wendy’s is taking a responsible step forward that will improve children’s health and make it easier for parents to make healthy choices for their children.”
That does not mean that kids cannot get any soda beverages at Wendy’s at all- parents and kids themselves can still order those if they want to gulp them down but they will not appear on the kids’ meal menus inside the restaurants any more. The menus will consist instead of juice, milk and water.
“We applaud Wendy’s for prioritizing children’s health and providing more nutritious beverage options,” Fr. Michael Crosby of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) said in a statement.
“Beyond the obvious health risks for kids is the reputational risk these unhealthy drinks carry for the company,” he continued. “As their investors, we are pleased to see them address this important concern.”
Recent researches have proved beyond doubt that consumption of sugar rich beverages can out kids at greater risk of obesity, tooth decay, heart disease and diabetes besides exposing them to many more health problems.
McDonald’s, the iconic burger chain, had done the same more than a year ago. Other chains which do not offer soda on their kids’ menus are Subway, Panera, Arby’s and Chipotle. After Wendy’s joining the healthier eating crusade, Burger King remains one of the biggest chains that continues to show soda pop on their kids’ menu. In a recent email statement however, they too had mentioned analyzing the possible impact the removal of soda from their kid’s menu.
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