Sayonara, sodas. Sugary soft drinks will no longer be the default beverages on the kids' menu at Burger King; those items will be apple juice, low-fat chocolate milk, and fat-free milk. This move follows the same change that McDonald's and Wendy's have already made.
Technically speaking, Burger King cannot require all of its franchises to alter their menus by changing the default drinks for the children's menu. However, they have the ability to strongly suggest it.
The last major health-related changes Burger King made to its kids' menu was in 2007. Those changes included using apple slices to replace French fries, and setting caps on fat and calories.
In response to BK's 2007 move, some health advocates complained that the apples were sliced to look like fries, and then served in a semi-fry box. In fact, Dr. James Sargent of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center argued that Burger King's ads that featured Fresh Apple Fries were "misleading" to kids, according to Time.
Also, each serving of the Capri Sun 100% apple juice sold with Burger King's kids' meals actually includes 20 grams of sugar. In fact, that is more sugar than a serving of Mountain Dew!
Still, some health experts are praising BK's switch from sugar to juice and milk. Margo G. Wootan, a director at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, noted in a statement that soda can cause health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Such items have "no place" on kids' menus, according to Fast Company.
Burger King's latest pro-health move is one of several steps that restaurant chains are making to cater to their health-conscious customers. Last week McDonald's officially stated that its chicken products would cease having antibiotics in them.
The latest move by BK is also in line with its recent trend of repackaging items already on its menu. Now you can order menu items "your way"--in a new way.