On your next trip to McDonalds you may (apparently only in some markets) see a new size of soda, the Hugo, a 42 oz soda that would contain just over 400 calories. You may remember that McDonalds got rid of its famous lineup of supersize products in the wake of the Morgan Spurlock movie that showed the potential harms of the chain’s large portions and nutritional lackluster. On one hand getting rid of the large sizes was a good thing, as people (I posited at the time would be less likely to order 2 sodas, or 2 fries, then to get one supersize.) But then again, McDonald’s also needs to make money, and if thats what people want, who should stop them? The portions of fast food are pretty astronomical when you compare the original 7 oz soda McDonald’s started with (larger then the kids size today) as well as the other products. Recently some cities (New York of course most notably) have discussed or passed laws requiring nutritional content be placed on menus.
Restaurants of course oppose this, as instead of ordering a Hugo size, you could ask for a nutritionally void bathtub sized cup with 400 calories to go. Similarly, see who wants to order the Bloomin’ Onion at the Outback Steakhouse when they see that it has over 2000 calories (thats right, amazing huh). Even some salads at chain restaurants clock in the realm of what you thought could only include deep fried twinkies. So I say more info, put it on the menus, its not that tough to do and people will probably make some smarter choices.
“People, I believe, tend to drink more during the summer,” said Danya Proud, a McDonald’s spokeswoman. “People are out and about.”
She said the Hugo was being offered because of customer demand, and so far, it has sold quite well.” NY Times
See The Consumerist: ‘410 Calories Without Taking A Bite ‘
and NY Times ‘Did McDonald’s Give In to Temptation‘
