As the obesity epidemic spreads all over the world, large food companies face growing pressure to take some responsibility in the fight against this disease, particularly when it comes to child obesity; now, in the latest move to keep children away from unhealthy (and potentially addictive) eating habits, Dairy Queen soda will be taken out of kids' menus.
Back in March, Food World News reported that fast food giant Burger King had taken the same step, not long after McDonald's, Wendy's and Chipotle did the same, as large chains enter a wave of healthier eating to try to escape their fast-decreasing sales numbers - and now, Dairy Queen's soda will be joining the new trend.
According to CNN Money, Dairy Queen's soda announcement came earlier this week through a statement from the ice cream and fast-food chain, as their representatives also said that they'd be changing kids' drinks options for healthier ones such as milk and bottled water.
"Under our recommendation, drinks such as milk and bottled water would solely be listed as menu options at DQ locations. I am pleased to inform you that during our most recent meeting, the FAC (Franchise Advisory Council) voted unanimously to remove soft drinks from our kids' menu," wrote William Barrier, the executive vice president of the company's product development and quality, in the Dairy Queen soda announcement, according to CNBC.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Dairy Queen soda move is also part of a larger trend from more health-aware consumers to avoid soft drinks in general, as the numbers for the industry have been on a rapid decrease in the last decade.
Back in 2006, the three major soda companies in the world (Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper) agreed to take soft drinks off schools, and now they claim they don't target children in marketing their products - they've also agreed to lower the sugar amounts in the drinks.
Following the Dairy Queen soda announcement, many wonder whether all similar chains will do the same in the next few months.
