Author:
Publication: The Hindustan Times
Date: June 5, 2002
McDonald's Corp has agreed to donate
$10 million to Hindu and other groups to settle lawsuits filed against
the chain for mislabelling French fries and hash browns as vegetarian.
McDonald's also posted an apology
on its website, acknowledging that mistakes were made in communicating
to customers and the public about the ingredients in the fries and hash
browns. The vegetable oil used to prepare the fries and hash browns was
not pure, but contained essence of beef for flavouring purposes.
"We regret we did not provide these
customers with complete information, and we sincerely apologize for any
hardship that these miscommunications have caused among Hindus, vegetarians
and others," the company said in an apology posted June 1 on the website.
"We should have done a better job in these areas and we're committed to
doing a better job in the future."
McDonald's says it has created a
dietary practice/ vegetarian advisory panel consisting of experts in consumer
dietary practices that will advise McDonald's on relevant dietary restrictions
and guidelines.
McDonald's was first sued over the
fries in Seattle last year by three vegetarians, including two Hindus.
Lawsuits were subsequently filed in Illinois, California, New Jersey and
Texas.
AP
