UK heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles stirred up a fast food debate when he reportedly suggested a ban of McDonald’s at a tour of the Gulf States.
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At the launch of a public health campaign in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Charles allegedly made an off-the-cuff remark that banning the restaurants was “key”.
“Have you got anywhere with McDonald’s, have you tried getting it banned? That’s the key,” he was quoted as saying by BBC news.
The comments were widely reported in the UK, where celebrity chefs including Antony Worrall Thompson and Giorgio Locatelli rallied behind the royal, who is known to be a keen advocate of organic food.
A spokesperson for McDonald’s told just-food: “The comment made by the Prince of Wales appears to be an off-the-cuff remark that, in our opinion, does not reflect either our menu or where we are at as a business. We know that other Royal Family members have visited and have probably got a more up to date picture of us.”
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By GlobalDataUK tabloid The Daily Mirror reported yesterday (27 February) that Charles’ son Harry had often visited McDonald’s.
“It is disappointing as he [Charles] is clearly unaware of some of the moves we have made over time to improve choice and variety on our menu, the formulation changes we have made over the past three years including the introduction of fruit, carrot sticks, salads and organic milk, the improved on pack nutritional information and the fact that we have made great progress in support of sustainable agriculture,” McDonald’s added.
