Walt Disney Company Continues Focus on Healthy Food Choices for Children
Since 2006, The Walt Disney Company has focused on improving and inspiring healthy eating with children. With their unique storytelling and beloved characters, they are the first major media company to make healthier lifestyles for families more appealing and more fun. While the larger portion of the emphasis has been place on their television/radio stations and their licensed food products, attention has also been given to the dining options at the Theme Parks as well.
The initiative, called Disney Magic of Healthy Living, brought a selection of new well-balanced kids’ meals to its Parks and Resorts. These meals automatically include nutritious sides and beverages such as carrots and low-fat milk unless a parent decides to opt out.
Disney Parks and Resorts proudly reported that of the more than 12 million kids’ meals served last year in the U.S., parents stuck with the healthier options 6 out of 10 times! The next steps will further reduce sodium in kids’ meals and introduce new well-balanced kids’ breakfast meals.
Disney will soon introduced the “Mickey Check” tool, an icon meant to call out nutritious food and menu items. By the end of 2012 the “Mickey Check” will appear on menus and select products at Disney’s Parks and Resorts.
“We’re proud of the impact we’ve had over the last six years,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company. “We’ve taken steps across our company to support better choices for families, and now we’re taking the next important step forward by setting new food advertising standards for kids. The emotional connection kids have to our characters and stories gives us a unique opportunity to continue to inspire and encourage them to lead healthier lives.”
Parents will soon notice a change in some on-air programming as well. All food and beverage products advertised, sponsored, or promoted on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Radio Disney, and Disney-owned online destinations oriented to families with younger children will be required by 2015 to meet Disney’s nutrition guidelines. These nutrition guidelines are aligned with federal standards to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and call for limiting calories and reducing saturated fat, sodium, and sugar.