Readers' views: McDonald's nutrition labelling

This Readers' Views page is now closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed their thoughts.

McDonald's is adding nutritional information to its packaging for Big Macs and other food, but there is some criticism of the way the information is presented.

Others are calling for all takeaways to provide similar information.

Do you back the move by McDonald's? Will it make people think twice about the food they eat and help tackle the obesity epidemic? Or is it simply a marketing ploy on the part of the food giant?

>> McDonald's labels tell you just what you're eating
>> Greens call for nutrition labelling on takeaways

The proposed label is deficient in some key areas. In particular, there is no declaration of trans fats. Few readers - and even fewer consumers of the product - will appreciate the importance of trans fats in the diet. The simple facts are that trans fats are a key factor in the current trend in obesity and Type 2 diabetes, due to the blocking of insulin receptors by industrial trans fats. Trans fats are present in all hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are the stuff that frying media, margarine and shortenings are made of. Trans fats are also known to be triggers for heart disease and a raft of other problems including macular degeneration and a number of dementia-related problems. Consumers cannot make an informed decision on healthy food choices as long as regulators and the health support industry refuse to require labelling of ingredients on restaurant foods. Eliminating industrial trans fats from the food supply would do more to reverse the trend in obesity and Type 2 diabetes than any of the current rhetoric.

- David Voss

You don't have to be a genius to know that eating this kind of food all the time isn't good for you. It's ridiculous how PC everything has gotten. People should take responsibility for themselves and for their children as well. Quit blaming everyone and everything else.

- S A

Although well intentioned - I feel it will be a waste of time. McD's specificaly target lower socio-economic groups who have poor eductional backgrounds - the nutrional information on the labells will mean nothing to the intellect of most of McDs regular clients. Better to show movies like "Super Size Me" to all secondary schools and to those beneficiaries who have problems with budgets yet are constantly eating junk food at the tax payers exspense.

- Michael Kingston

Fundamentally, people should be responsible for what they eat. Blaming a restaurant chain or forcing every eatery in the country to label the nutritional contents of its food products is not the full answer. Also the Green Party is totally wrong by thinking that they can be the "guardian" of the whole nation regarding to nutrition and health. Their ideals of health is totally different from mine and they will not be my "guardian". Thanks, but no thanks.

- William To

It is up to the person who is buying McD's to take responsibilty for what theyre eating. However, this is all going a bit too far. I recently bought a McD's breakfast (which was rather nice) however, it quite literally was my first McDs meal in about 3 years. The looks and comments that I got from people in the elevator in my office block however, made me feel like an absolute criminal - even though I am 6' and weigh 70kgs. McDs is NOT to blame for peoples obesity. People only have themselves to blame for getting fat from eating McDs.

- Hayden Nash

I think it is a great idea for McDonalds to publish the nutritional content (or lack of!) on their food. In order for people to understand what it means (e.g fat, carbohydrates, protein etc), this should be taught at school. It's not difficult to educate children about the basics of food nutrition, to ensure they are at least partly informed so they understand that regular consumption of a burger containing 35 grams of fat is not good for you! If McDonalds, KFC and all those other fast food outlets really want to make a difference and create healthier food, then they should start using low fat mayonnaise, non sweetened white buns etc...

- lizzy

Ultimately it is the choice of the induvidual on what they eat. Or in the case of children it is the parent who has to decide. Adding nutritional information to McDonalds packaging is a step in the right direction I believe, but in saying that, how many people will actually read it. Generally people know the kind of nutrional value they obtain from fast foods, this doesn't mean that people will stop eating it or cut back on eating it. Obesity can only be conquered by lifestyle change, healthier eating and excercise. If these things aren't encouraged then our children don't stand a chance.

- Renee Shill

I agree with what the previous readers have said completely. I believe that the responsibility for one's life and health are largely with the individual. As the saying goes: you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink!

- Robert

I applaud McDonalds for all that they are doing to address the nutritional value of their food, particularly their intention to include the Nutrition Information on their packaging. They are being proactive. Lets face it - at the end of the day, each individual who purchases food from McDonalds is ultimately responsible for that choice. As a society, we seem intent on finding blame with everything/everyone else for the choices we make that can only and should only be attributed to ourselves. Well done McDonalds - whatever your motivation, it's all good.

- Darcia Mather

Does it really matter whether McDonalds and their like label the nutritional data or not? The fact remains that all these food giants cook with Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, the worst kind of fat - transfats. I can personally give the example of my partner who for several years suffered from Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression. We were fast food junkies. Five years ago we gave up on this style of food completely and started eating totally home cooked organic vegetarian wholefoods. He has completely recovered from his illness and does not even take medication. I too feel a totally different person and have abandoned tobacco, alcohol and found a new life with plenty of exercise. Do you people really understand what that trash is doing to your body AND MIND ??!!

- Catherine

The 'well informed' and interested people, concerned about health and well being, already know how bad fast food is and avoid it. The poorly educated and unconcerned don't care about nutritional value, so long as it tastes good and they can have it now. Putting nutritional information on fast food products is akin to graphic messages on cigarette packets. Only those already in the know care. Ban the use of childrens toys in food marketing and save the next generation!

- Logan Officer

MacDonalds, having been shaken by the documentary Super Size Me, are adding information so people are more informed about what they are eating at their resturants is to be comended. All that should, realisticaly, be expected from food retailers is to provide the consumer with factual information, it is up to the consumer to decide if it is not healthy enough. We need to stop blaming food retailers for obesity and focus on the problem, which is the consumer who is choosing to eat unhealthy, fatty, greasy food day in, day out.

- Daniel Skipper

It is an individuals responsibility to watch what they purchase and subsequently eat. Blaming McDonalds and other food outlets for obesity is illogical. They legally operate and advertise their products, it's the buyer that needs to beware. Seeing children that have eating disorders getting food out of rubbish bins highlights the actual problem, it's a medical disorder not a McDonalds disorder.

- Mike

Huge health warning labels on cigarettes don't stop people smoking. I don't think nutritional information on McDonalds or any other fast foods will have much impact on the majority of those at risk of obesity. People serious about weight management know to avoid to much fast food already without nutritional information to tell them so. Overseas studies have shown that a large part of the fast food customer base, are often people within lower social economic groups. At the risk of generalising, a lot of these people lack the knowledge to fully understand what the nutritional information means and its impact to health.

- Catherine

It's not up to the fast food companies to curb obesity, sure its a step in the right direction, but people need to take responsibility for themselves. Everyone knows that takeaways are full of fat, additives etc that are bad for you. People need to exercise a bit of control and start serving themselves, and their children healthier meals. It's not rocket science. Buy some meat and veges and cook a decent meal, one that isn't coated in all sorts of crap. Takeaways should be a treat, and people know this, they just over indulge.

- Leigh