The McDonald's strategy is to make a series of small changes to the product composition in order to move in the direction indicated by the dietary recommendations. These can involve considerable research and development and so the exercise does take time. Nevertheless, substantial progress has been made and will continue to be made in the future. Although much of the current public concern is on the fat, sugar and fibre, we must not lose sight of the fact that the minor nutrients, the vitamins and minerals, are also essential. Here again, the need for variety and balance is paramount because the main sources of each one can be different.
Red meat is a good source of iron and several of the B vitamins.
It has been shown that some young women who become vegetarian by removing meat from their diet completely can suffer from anaemia. Similarly, milk and dairy products are important sources of calcium-in the diet. Young people who only have a small amount in their diet may be susceptible to osteoporosis later in life. There is absolutely no doubt that the type of products which are supplied by McDonald's do play a critical part in the diet. Anyone who decides that they must not consume these types of products would need to be very well informed about nutrition principles to be sure that they were adequately nourished.