McDonald's Targets Americans' Hearts

McDonald's took a brief fling with nutrition -- its McLean Deluxe burger. Now the company is back to its old standby, junk food, judging by its new, fatty burger, the Arch Deluxe, says a prominent nutrition advocate.

Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, notes that the sandwich provides about 600 calories, plus about half the recommended daily intake of fat, saturated fat, and sodium -- and that's without the extra 600-or-so more calories from a large order of fries and a Coke, typically ordered with hamburgers.

Jacobson said, "It's too bad for the public's health that McDonald's is expanding its line of unhealthful foods. Products like the Arch Deluxe contribute in a major way to heart disease and stroke. Obesity rates are soaring, yet McDonald's has come up with yet another strategy for stuffing more calories and fat into our meals."

According to McDonald's, an Arch Deluxe without bacon provides 560 calories, 32 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, and 960 milligrams of sodium. The bacon version contains 610 calories, 36 grams of fat, 13 grams of saturated fat, and 1,190 milligrams of sodium. The Food and Drug Administration's "Nutrition Facts" label recommends that Americans on a 2,000-calorie diet consume no more than 65 grams of fat, 20 grams of saturated fat, and 2,400 milligrams of sodium per day.

CSPI suggests that people who care about their health should either should choose the McGrilled Chicken sandwich or a salad -- or choose another restaurant.