ORLANDO, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, the world's largest casual-dining chain operator, recently announced plans to cut both calories and sodium in its menu items and make its kids' meals healthier.
Working with First Lady Michelle Obama's “Let's Move!” campaign and the Partnership for a Healthier America, the parent company of 1,900 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and other full-service restaurants developed a plan to reduce both calories and sodium across all menu items by 10% during the next five years, and 20% during the next 10 years. The company has said that this transition-over-time approach will allow for changes in consumer tastes as it reformulates and resizes menu items and introduces new, calorie-conscious options.
In addition, children's menus will be reformulated to adhere to specific nutrition standards. And, by July 2012, carbonated soft drinks and fries will be removed from kids' menus and will be replaced with low-fat milk and sides of fruits or vegetables, unless an adult requests a substitute.
“We pride ourselves on making good food better, and on finding new ways to nourish and delight everyone we serve,” Drew Madsen, Darden president and chief operating officer, said during a press conference at an Olive Garden location in Hyattsville, Md. “Today we are taking a new step forward by creating a comprehensive health and wellness commitment, while preserving our commitment to offer our guests the delicious food they have come to know and love.”
At the press conference, Michelle Obama encouraged other chains and independent operators to follow Darden's lead, and that even small changes, such as offering baked alternatives to fried items, could make a difference. However, she emphasized that such changes will only help solve the problem of childhood obesity if parents take advantage of the new options.
“Restaurants can only keep making these business sacrifices if people buy them,” she said.
“So parents, we need to put our money where our mouth is. Then we will solve this challenge and give our kids the healthy futures they deserve.”
