McDonald Puts Children Health At Risk

Various fast food chains have high salt content resulting in health problems.

Fast food is extremely popular among the young lot but according to recent studies, the popular kids meal at various fast food chains are said to be loaded with huge quantities of salt in several countries across the globe. According to the study, these fast food outlets need to minimize on the salt levels to ensure the health and safety of its consumers.

Ironically the salt levels vary from one country to another. According to Wash, the popular campaign deduced that KFC outlets in Costa Rica serve Kid’s meal with 18 teaspoon salt that is relatively more than the amount served in United Kingdom. According to another analysis, the children’s meal being sold in 37 countries across the globe has more than 1g of in each serving.

an analysis was done where a study was done on the kid's meal being sold at various fast food chains in more than 37 countries resulted in a revelation according to which every 8 out of 10 kids meal have a salt content of more than 1g of salt per serving. This itself is extremely alarming condition and can cause several health issues.

In the United Kingdom, things are relatively better since the slat levels in kid’s meal are relatively balanced at most fast food chains like Subway, Burger King, KFC, McDonald's etc. on average children within the age of 4 to 6 should not consume more than 3.5g of salt in a day’s span. So if they consume more than 1g of salt in a meal, then this proportion is likely to get unbalanced eventually.

With the rampant increase in diseases, Wash claims that an excessive quantity of salt can affect the taste buds on young children, can increases the blood pressure resulting in life threatening diseases like heart failure or strokes.

McDonald’s menu also has a kids menu which has high amount of salt. McDonald's Corporation also needs to minimize this amount. The target set by WASH is maximum of 5g of salt intake in a day, so a campaign is now being regulated where all junk food offering chains are being asked to minimize the salt levels in the food.

According to Clare Farrand, who is a nutritionist and leads an international program stated, “The fact that these fast food chains are able to produce less salty children’s meals in some countries means they can do the same in all countries, and should immediately.” Children can enjoy a treat outside but it’s the duty of restaurants to ensure its healthy.