Applebee’s will become the first family dining restaurant chain to remove soda from its children’s menus, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has reported.
The company is the latest in a series of firms to stop selling soda, joining fast food chains such as McDonald’s; Burger King; Dairy Queen, which took CSDs off the menu in January; and Wendy’s, which made the move in May.
The announcement has been hailed by CSPI, as well as MomsRising.org, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, and the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, which had launched a campaign to encourage restaurant chains to remove soda and other sugary drinks from children’s menus.
CSPI nutrition policy counsel Jessica Almy said: “Soda and other sugar drinks promote diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, and even heart disease… Kudos to Applebee’s for taking this important step to promote children’s health. Other sit-down chains such as Chili’s should follow Applebee’s lead.”
Breakfast chain IHOP, which is owned by the same parent company as Applebee’s, had already taken the decision to exclude CSDs from its children’s menu.
Almy added: “Responsible restaurants are on the fast track toward making soda for kids a thing of the past.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024