Ronald McDonald and Happy Meals 'should be banned', say health campaigners
The character Ronald McDonald and McDonald's Happy Meal promotions should be banned because they attract children to junk food too much, according to health campaigners.
The experts took out newspaper advertisements in the form of an open letter to tell the firm's management that the mascot and the meals, which come with a free toy, can be damaging.
The campaign group, called Corporate Accountability International, has previously targeted PepsiCo and Coca-Cola over the firms' plastic bottles.
Yesterday CAI ran full-page ads in US papers, which stated: "Marketing can no longer be ignored as a significant part of this huge problem."
The letter also urged the firm to stop advertising foods high in fat, salt and sugar to children.
A spokesman for McDonald's, which has used the Ronald McDonald character since the 1960s, said it was committed to "responsible advertising".
He said: "Ronald McDonald has never left McDonald's. He has been our mascot for 35 years.
"We serve high quality food. Our Happy Meals offer choice and variety in portions for kids."
