McDonald's(R) Milk Jugs Give Moms a Choice to Feel Good About in a Package Kids Love

The National Dairy Council celebrates McDonald's New Happy Meal(R) Choices including lowfat (1 percent) white and chocolate milk in fun Milk Jug packaging. The new containers, featuring Ronald McDonald(R) surfing on a wave of milk, are single-serve plastic, resealable bottles that are easy for small hands to hold and convenient for families on the go. Starting in June, McDonald's will be the first fast food restaurant to offer milk in this packaging nationwide.

The new menu option is in line with recent dairy research. A year-long study involving more than 100,000 elementary and secondary school kids found that kids consumed more refreshing milk when it was offered cold in different flavors and fun, grab-and-go containers(i).

"Helping kids get nutrition, taste and variety all in one new package is important to America's dairy farmers, and we're proud to be working with McDonald's to help make milk a part of consumers' balanced lifestyle plans," said Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc.

"Sales of the Milk Jugs in our test markets have been brisk," said Lisa Frick, director of Menu Management at McDonald's. "The results are telling us that moms and kids like this new offering."

According to government recommendations, children ages 4-8 need 800 milligrams of calcium a day or the equivalent of three daily servings of milk, cheese or yogurt. The National Dairy Council encourages parents to choose milk when ordering Happy Meals for their kids since milk delivers nine essential nutrients, including about a third of their daily calcium needs.

"Dairy foods like milk provide a powerful nutrient package. Milk offers the taste that kids love along with the nutrients that growing bodies need -- like calcium for strong bones and protein for energy and muscle development," said Connie Diekman, M.Ed., R.D., director of University Nutrition at Washington University, St. Louis and a member of the American Dietetic Association. "We are excited that McDonald's is doing its part to help kids get on their way to the recommended three servings of dairy each day."

The New Happy Meal Choices, including Milk Jugs, will be available at participating McDonald's restaurants June 11.

Dairy Management Inc.(TM) (DMI) is the non-profit domestic and international planning and management organization responsible or increasing demand for U.S.-produced dairy products on behalf of America's dairy producers. DMI manages the American Dairy Association(R), National Dairy Council(R) and U.S. Dairy Export Council(R).

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