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U.S. fast food restaurants are increasingly being called to task for food quality (Taco Bell's bad onions), menu diversity (the call for vegetarian options) and the ethical treatment of animals (Pamela Anderson vs. KFC). In reviewing McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) worldwide operations, I came away impressed with the flexibility it has demonstrated in addressing these concerns. Other corporations should wish to have solutions already so tried and tested. In the U.K., to convince customers that the meat it serves is raised and slaughtered humanely, the company has a team of volunteer 'Quality Scouts.' These scouts visit farms and processing plants that supply the chain. Videos of these visits and their written reports are posted on the internet.
In Israel's 80 outlets, all beef used is kosher, although only a portion of the restaurants themselves are kosher. The kosher outlets do not serve any dairy products, and are closed on the Sabbath and all religious holidays.
In Muslim countries such as the U.A.E. and Indonesia, all meat served in sandwiches such as the McArabia (a burger served in flatbread rather than a bun) is halal, having been slaughtered in accordance with directives found in the Koran and carrying a Certificate of Islamic Slaughter.
In South America, McDonald's offer the McHuevo sandwich, a burger sandwich with a poached egg and mayonnaise. In India, the menu is full of vegetarian options appealing to the Hindu population.
Having a worldwide presence and food already customized to local tastes gives McDonald's business advantage in the ever-more culturally diverse American market, one I expect it to use to grow its market share.
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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
5-08-2007 @ 11:25AM
Ayjay said...
Sarah ~ salmon is fish, therefore it is an animal and yes, it has been killed for your consumption ~ in fact fish are killed less humanely than the cows for the all beef patties in a big mac!!! Yes I am a carnivore and I eat the occasional big mac.
5-08-2007 @ 10:47PM
Marcus said...
Dario:
I respect your right to your opinion, but you are absolutely 100% wrong. I don't want to be argumentative so I'm not going to go into it. But, really you are clueless. If you really want to know the truth, I can get you volumes of books that dispute what you claim. And if you don't wish to know the truth......that's up to you.
5-09-2007 @ 11:27PM
Cathy said...
Sarah, First of all, don't they teach spelling & sentence structure in Canada? Secondly, I think the salmon that got killed for your McLake Sandwich would probably beg to differ with you that it's not an "animal". Or that it's dead flesh is "gross". To each his own, you idiots! Your Vegan grains can be just as infested with mouse droppings, bird turds, smooshed bug guts, whatever! So what are YOU gonna eat once all the food choices have been deemed "gross" and inedible??
5-09-2007 @ 11:50PM
Cathy said...
RichManhattan--on "non-animal salmon girl"--that particular person seems to be from CANADA! (no offense, I have cousins there) Katie-#52, RIGHT ON! As a horticulturist, I see sooo many plants with an amazing "will to live"--what if, on some level we don't yet comprehend, THEY would rather not be eaten, either? If that's the case, then you & I agree, what are our non-living food sources? Rocks? Minerals are good for us, sure, but until science figures out how to synthesize ALL the body's nutritional requirements, living things of all sorts are going to be consumed by humans so WE can survive!
5-10-2007 @ 12:13AM
Cathy said...
Oh, and Kevan, you're right, too on one count--"out of sight, out of mind" is exactly what allows me to eat meats. Not seeing what I know to be true in the slaughter of the animals I consume helps me to endure constant remorseful feelings. But where to draw the line? At times, I feel bad killing the assorted bug--the fluttering moth I catch to feed to my playful cats; the ants I spray with pesticide in my yard; the wasp I swat in fear of someone getting stung; the fly--well, flies, not so much! But you get the point, I hope.