McDonald’s Launches Campaign To Combat Rumors Such As ‘Pink Slime’ With Behind-The-Scenes Look [Video]
About two years ago, the world was introduced to something in the food industry known simply as “pink slime.” This pink, gelatinous substance that seemed to look like toothpaste freshly squeezed out of a tube was the major proponent for concern over fake foods, which is better known by its slang name of “frankenfoods.” The Inquisitr reported numerous times on pink slime, in which the latest news back in 2013 includes a pink slime manufacturer suing ABC News for $1.2 billion. However, that lawsuit was thrown out three months later.
One of the companies who were hurt by the pink slime fiasco was McDonald’s. With rumors that they use pink slime in their chicken nuggets, it is understandable why they are now just launching a campaign to refute all the rumors which caused them issues over the years.
According to Mail Online, McDonald’s has taken unprecedented steps in convincing the general public that their food is real by exposing one of their biggest secrets: what takes place behind-the-scenes in their food factory. By taking cameras to the production floor, they hope to dispel any myths and rumors caused by years of bad publicity that has marred their reputation.
ABC had more to report on McDonald’s campaign since they were the ones invited to the production floor with cameras. On site in Fresno, California, the ABC crew were given a grand tour accompanied by the director of quality systems, Rickette Collins. Collins also explained what this new campaign is called and its purpose.
“We’re starting a journey called ‘Our Food, Your Questions’ and we want to open up the doors and let our customers ask us any questions they ahve, and give them answers.”
As the tour continued, cameras record how beef patties are created. This is probably the one food item that got the most attention because of how many rumors it has including being made of pink slime or frankenfoods. However, the video shows that 400,000 pounds of meat per day is used to make their beef patties. They also enforce that they are 100 percent beef, grounded and blended to form the patty shape.
“[The beef] comes from familiar cuts that you may know like chuck and round and sirloin. Just like you get at the grocery store, you know, you buy 80/20 blend.”
Pulling the curtain back on food production is a risky move in which Naomi Starkman, editor-in-chief of Civil Eats, enforced by the following statement.
“The writing is on the wall. McDonald’s sees its market share diminishing. Millennials are now driving the food bus, and they’re heading straight to places like Chipotle and other establishments they’re offering better, healthier fare. So I think they’re trying to catch up.”
This may be true especially since McDonald’s is losing ground to another fast-food restaurant that is appealing to Millenials: Chick-fil-A. Not only are they the number one chicken restaurant in the nation, they have surpassed McDonald’s as the best to children. In conclusion, it is evident that Kevin Newell, company chief brand manager, hopes this new campaign will make customers think differently about their food.
Now that you’ve read the article on McDonald’s new campaign, what are your opinions? Do you think differently about their food? If you do think differently, would you eat at McDonald’s more? Please let everyone know in the comments below.
[Image via Bing]
