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Watch McDonald’s new video about Chicken McNuggets and share your opinions - £300 Love2Shop voucher to be won NOW CLOSED

202 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 02/12/2015 09:32

As part of their Good To Know campaign, McDonald’s have released three new videos to give a little bit more information on the ingredients they use in their products, and they’re keen to hear what Mumsnetters think. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be running threads about different McDonald’s foods.

McDonald’s say “We’ve launched our Good To Know campaign to provide our customers with more information on the quality of the ingredients we use in our products. Despite some common misconceptions, our Chicken McNuggets contain 100% chicken breast meat, fries are made from real, whole British spuds and 100% beef from whole cuts of forequarter and flank goes into a McDonald’s burger. Alongside the Good To Know website, we’re launching the three new videos you’ll see in Mumsnet threads over the next few weeks, and we’re really interested to hear your thoughts”

Please watch the 40 second video below:

Once you’ve watched the video please let us know:

  • What did you think of the overall message in the video?
  • Did it change your perceptions of Chicken McNuggets at all? If so, how?
  • If you're not a current McDonald's visitor, having watched the video, do you think you'd now consider visiting McDonald's or visiting with your children?
  • Would you be interested in visiting the McDonald’s Good To Know website to find out more information?

Whatever your thoughts, McDonald’s would love to hear about them.

Everyone who adds a comment will be entered in to a prize draw, where one winner will receive a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Thanks & good luck,

MNHQ

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 15/12/2015 20:31

I thought the overall message of the vid was that mcnuggs are fine because they are made of chopped chicken breast, not minced up chickens feet and ears. Perhaps the vid was made because such rumours have been circulating, as they often do about processed food, such as hotdogs and pies.

However it does not mention any of the other points people might be interested in, presumably to avoid sparking up other concerns. For example, it does not say if the chickens are factory farmed, or retired discards from egg factories, or what proportion of a mcnugg is fat.

JWalker23 · 15/12/2015 21:06

Good produced video :)

cluckyhen · 15/12/2015 21:16

I'm indifferent about McD's - it's a nice junk food treat now and again but I'm a bit of a health freak. Most of my food is organic sourced and to me nuggets are just mushed up chicken scraps. Sorry I can't be more positive

snare · 15/12/2015 21:34

My kids and I enjoyed the ad :)

matphil · 15/12/2015 22:03

-What did you think of the overall message in the video?
It's reassuring to know they are made using chicken breast.

  • Did it change your perceptions of Chicken McNuggets at all? If so, how?
No not really I thought they were made this way.
  • If you're not a current McDonald's visitor, having watched the video, do you think you'd now consider visiting McDonald's or visiting with your children?
We already visit for a treat.
  • Would you be interested in visiting the McDonald’s Good To Know website to find out more information?
No I don't need to know anymore.
keshimonster · 15/12/2015 22:06

Really good. So may rumours that McDonalds nuggets are full of nasties, this really puts your mind at rest! Will definitely go for a treat! :)

tanyavt · 15/12/2015 22:59

McDonalds are doing their best to improve their reputation and I'm pleased to see that they do create 'proper' food, however it is still fast food and as such won't ever be as good for you as a nutritious home cooked meal.
That said, a little bit of everything never hurt anyone and we would go to McDonalds occasionally in the safe knowledge that we aren't putting complete rubbish in our bodies.

zbody1 · 15/12/2015 23:12

Its a clever advert , however there are lots of other reasons I wouldn't go to McD. I don't get pestered about it either (yet) .
Its a very superficial ad , and reading the comments I don't think its changed any minds but it does follow what they've been trying to say in other ads. Look at us we are wholesome really and the rumours aren't true.
What it does do is give McD fans an argument about quality and quell concerns that might make people switch. Which they have never really done before.
Think its trying to keep the base it has, now there are more options for families around .

PigletJohn · 15/12/2015 23:38

younger 'snetters will not remember when McD's wasted millions of pounds dragging their own reputation through the mud by suing two campaigners in what became Britains longest trial, which you will find if you google "McLibel"

One gem which particularly sticks in my memory:

"Asked why he thought Coca-Cola was an example of nutritious food, a U.S. Senior-Vice President of Marketing testified it is "providing water, and I think that is part of a balanced diet."

SpecialistSnowflake · 15/12/2015 23:44

Well honestly, I don't think a simple taste test is going to put people's minds at rest, if they're the kind of people who worry about these things.

How about a food scientist who has run tests on the meat? Or even simpler, someone who has followed the meat from living source to factory?

I liked that the advert was short, but it did seem patronizing - this teacher says the nuggets are chicken breast and nothing else. What's her proof? She ate one. Hmm.

I like chicken nuggets and will continue to eat them, and to be a McDonalds customer. I am not interested in visiting the website though - not until it can dispense cheeseburgers through my computer monitor.

vanpopple · 15/12/2015 23:59

Interesting, but regardless of anything I would only take my kids to mcdonalds once a month.
Healthy fresh food gives a better stability in life than fast food.

MrsLittner · 16/12/2015 00:09

The overall message in the video is neither here nor there. Doesn't really say very much and hasn't changed my perception of McDonalds. There is something that makes me think there is still something to hide.

We have McD's as a last resort. It's not a treat, but sometimes on the motorway it's the only option. Not necessarily because I disagree with fast food (or with McD's in principle) but because we can generally find a better option.

And no, sorry, I'm unlikely to visit the website.

pinkspideruk · 16/12/2015 00:50
  • What did you think of the overall message in the video?

It's what we already know unsurprisingly chicken nuggets are made out of chicken - but then again so if KFC including things like beaks and feet! I's trying to make out fast food is good and healthy etc but lets be honest we all know its not its cheap, greasy and after an hour your hungry again!

  • Did it change your perceptions of Chicken McNuggets at all? If so, how?

Nope - they are not a substitute for a proper meal

  • If you're not a current McDonald's visitor, having watched the video, do you think you'd now consider visiting McDonald's or visiting with your children?

Nope - McDonalds is an occasional treat maybe once every 2 months or so to be honest I'd rather pay £1 more and go to a local carvery where they can fill have a proper meal for the same price with fresh veggies and actual carved in front of you meat

  • Would you be interested in visiting the McDonald’s Good To Know website to find out more information?

Nope - fast food propaganda is of no interest to me - like I said an occasional treat is fine but we are not going to be increasing our visits because McDonalds is trying to promote itself as being healthy!

nicole101 · 16/12/2015 03:07

To be honest not a fan of McDonalds, especially for children. I personally would not eat the chicken nuggets myself, as I do think it is formed meat not 100% chicken breast. The video tries to relay the message that chicken nuggets are not formed meat but chicken breast. The video did not change my perspective, I only go to Mcdonalds like once a year out of desperation when traveling. I do not plan to take my daughter there anytime soon as she is only two. I will have a look at the Good to Know website, thanks so much!

Ferryfairy · 16/12/2015 08:16

I thought the video was patronising and it didn't reassure me in the slightest. I'd like to know more about the conditions the chickens are reared in.

SuzCG · 16/12/2015 09:35

Overall message - I think they are doing a good job of changing the age old boring rap that McDonalds have had for years. Their food really isn't as bad as people have made out. Don't get me wrong, wouldn't want my kids eating it every day but hey, life is for living and we should all have a treat now and again! It's good to know that they are made from breast meat. This ad won't make me go anymore than I do - but I feel happier knowing a little more about the product and yes, may even take a trip to their website and learn a little more - which may make me even more inclined to visit sometime soon.

baconbap · 16/12/2015 12:12

it's not free-range chicken though, is it? so I'm not happy

jamielmdjs · 16/12/2015 17:37

The message is spot on and says exactly what is needed. McDonalds - chicken nuggets in particular - are made out to be the worst thing imaginable, without any though about some of the other items that are being pumped into kids.

I DO visit McDonalds and we DO already eat McNuggets so it will have no change on me, but it's good to see there is more information out there, including the website, to educate and inform people to make their own choices and not just follow scare stories.

Still - moderation is the key.

hbakfam · 16/12/2015 17:49

I thought the video was easily accessible for children but didn't give quite enough detail for parents. It gave us a rebuttal to some common perceptions of McDonald's food but presented that rebuttal as a story and did not show us any evidence

manfalou · 16/12/2015 19:55

I thought it was ok.. didnt really like the tone of it tbh and would have liked more factual info. Ive never had a terrible outlook on McDonalds as the hubby worked there back in the day and even then had a surprisingly high opinion of it from working 'behind the scenes' as it may.

We usually go probably once a month before the cinema or as part of a shopping trip to keep the kids sweet. I do with the fish fingers were grilled instead of friend though.

VickyRsuperstar · 16/12/2015 21:17

I live in central London, life is hectic and for convenience or when meeting up with friends we go to McDonald's fairly regularly (sometimes for a cofee and a McFlurry for the kids and sometimes they get Happy Meals) so I already knew that the chicken McNuggets were made with breast meat. It didn't change my perception because I didn't have any issue with the nuggets and I'm quite happy to take my children to McDonalds. The only thing I have issues with is automatically putting salt on the fries - especially as some of my kids are very small. I always have to ask them to make our fries with no salt but unfortunately the deck is already very salty so even "unsalted" comes out with salt on them! I would prefer unsalted fries made as standard as I've never put salt on fries (or chips) and in London most fast food fried chicken type shops do not automatically salt the fries - they leave it up to the customer.
My family eats meat, but personally I am a vegetarian and feel that McDonalds doesn't really cater for us. They used to make a lovely Quorn burger when I was expecting my 4th baby back in 2004, but then this was scrapped :-( and now I often end up just eating fries and a McFlurry while my meat-eating friends have a wide choice to pick from!

I haven't been to the website, but if I needed to look something up then I definitely would have a look.

dramaqueen1966 · 16/12/2015 22:39

I see what they are trying to say but it's still processed food. However, it's not for everyday and they are also not saying that so in moderation like everything, enjoy the variety.

robyn297 · 16/12/2015 22:44

I enjoyed the video and have often wondered where people got their strange ideas from about whats in it. Obviously its not an everyday food, but everything in moderation!

Tonkatol · 16/12/2015 22:52

What did you think of the overall message in the video?
It was obviously meant t0 reassure parents that McDonalds food doesn't deserve the bad press it gets.

Did it change your perceptions of Chicken McNuggets at all? If so, how?
It didn't change my perceptions of Chicken McNuggets - I don't like the batter/coating the McNuggets are cooked in so wouldn't eat them. However, it does still leave me wondering how the chickens are kept.

If you're not a current McDonald's visitor, having watched the video, do you think you'd now consider visiting McDonald's or visiting with your children?
I have four children, three teenagers and a daughter aged 9. My teenagers wouldn't choose to eat McDonald's but my youngest daughter likes to have a McDonalds. I restrict her to no more than one a month but she doesn't choose to have McNuggets. I would still prefer her not to have McDonald's but if she really wants it then I let her choose what she eats.

Would you be interested in visiting the McDonald’s Good To Know website to find out more information?
Unfortunately, and I know it is unfair, I don't consider McDonald's a healthy place to eat. Therefore, however much I looked at the website and studied the calorie content/fat content of products, I still would not be able to remove the feeling in my mind that the food is unhealthy.

Minnie43 · 17/12/2015 11:27

We only go to McDonald's rarely, the nearest one is 20 miles away! I like the advert, it provided reassurance that they're not throwing complete junk into the mix.
I tend to detune when watching adverts, so it probably won't make that much difference to whether I specifically seek out McDonald's for a meal or not, but I think the advert will appeal to children and gets the Good To Know food quality message across.