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CNN Live At Daybreak
McDonald's Will Offer Fruit Instead of Fries
Aired July 16, 2003 - 06:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for a little business buzz right now though. McDonald's is testing out some healthier alternatives in its happy Meals for kids, but are kids liking it?
Carrie Lee has the answer.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Are kids liking it and sort of how healthier are some of these concepts? Remember McDonald's and other fast food companies have come under fire in recent months as a lot of critics claim that junk food and fast food is linked to health problems for things like obesity and diabetes.
Well now McDonald's says it's going to start offering healthier concepts in its food, now putting these healthier concepts to the test. For one, they're going to offer apple slices with a caramel dipping sauce as an alternative to fries in Happy Meals. The new option is going to be called Dippers and this is going to happen in a couple of test markets in the United States. McDonald's in the U.K. already apples -- offers fruit in its Happy Meals. And in Sweden, things like carrots and juice are an option.
So they're going to roll this out a bit later in the summer, Carol. And if it's successful, then they'll probably offer it nationwide. But the last time I checked, caramel wasn't exactly a healthy food. I guess that's a way to get young kids to at least eat apple slices instead of French fries.
COSTELLO: Exactly. Exactly, because once they eat the bad stuff, maybe they'll eat the good stuff too, who knows?
LEE: Right.
COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures before you have to go.
LEE: Yes, a lot happening on stocks. First of all, things do look pretty good. We heard from Intel last night, a pretty robust report, so that's part of the reason stocks are pointing to a higher open. Now also this morning, we're going to hear from Ford Motor Company and J.P. Morgan Chase. J.P. Morgan a Dow component. Both of these on the profit front. Tonight, after the close, IBM in focus for profits. And then also keep an eye on shares of Sears Roebuck. The stock really soared in the after-hours market, up 19 percent last night. It was announced yesterday that Citigroup is buying Sears' credit card portfolio for $6 billion in cash. So Sears could be a big mover today as well -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, thanks a lot for the update, we appreciate it.
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Aired July 16, 2003 - 06:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for a little business buzz right now though. McDonald's is testing out some healthier alternatives in its happy Meals for kids, but are kids liking it?
Carrie Lee has the answer.
Good morning -- Carrie.
CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Are kids liking it and sort of how healthier are some of these concepts? Remember McDonald's and other fast food companies have come under fire in recent months as a lot of critics claim that junk food and fast food is linked to health problems for things like obesity and diabetes.
Well now McDonald's says it's going to start offering healthier concepts in its food, now putting these healthier concepts to the test. For one, they're going to offer apple slices with a caramel dipping sauce as an alternative to fries in Happy Meals. The new option is going to be called Dippers and this is going to happen in a couple of test markets in the United States. McDonald's in the U.K. already apples -- offers fruit in its Happy Meals. And in Sweden, things like carrots and juice are an option.
So they're going to roll this out a bit later in the summer, Carol. And if it's successful, then they'll probably offer it nationwide. But the last time I checked, caramel wasn't exactly a healthy food. I guess that's a way to get young kids to at least eat apple slices instead of French fries.
COSTELLO: Exactly. Exactly, because once they eat the bad stuff, maybe they'll eat the good stuff too, who knows?
LEE: Right.
COSTELLO: A quick look at the futures before you have to go.
LEE: Yes, a lot happening on stocks. First of all, things do look pretty good. We heard from Intel last night, a pretty robust report, so that's part of the reason stocks are pointing to a higher open. Now also this morning, we're going to hear from Ford Motor Company and J.P. Morgan Chase. J.P. Morgan a Dow component. Both of these on the profit front. Tonight, after the close, IBM in focus for profits. And then also keep an eye on shares of Sears Roebuck. The stock really soared in the after-hours market, up 19 percent last night. It was announced yesterday that Citigroup is buying Sears' credit card portfolio for $6 billion in cash. So Sears could be a big mover today as well -- Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, thanks a lot for the update, we appreciate it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
