McD’s introduce fast fruit

McDonald’s is to introduce a fizzy drink for children that promises one of their five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables.

The new drink, called Fruitizz, is part of the fast-food giant’s efforts to improve the health credentials of its children’s meals and follows the introduction of carrot sticks, fruit bags, mineral water and organic semi-skimmed milk to its Happy Meal menu.

The “fizzy treat” will be served from the central drinks tower at the counter, alongside other soft drink staples, as research had found children found this “more exciting and desirable”, according to the chain.

The drink contains no added sugars, artificial colours or flavours and blends 60 per cent fruit juice from grapes, apples and raspberries

Children’s Food Campaign spokesman Malcolm Clark said: “The best news for children’s health will be if fruit-based drinks start to displace drinks such as Coca-Cola from children’s menus in McDonald’s.”