The Disney Company Introduces a New Program

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

22 Oct 2006 08:30 AM

The Disney Company is constantly introducing new products, new creations, new films and new rides at their theme parks not to mention new stars, new entertainment and more. On October 19, they introduced new food guidelines in order to provide parents and children healthier options for their dining choices awhile staying at Disney parks and Resorts as well as all food products carrying the Disney label or Disney characters.

These guidelines will govern all business partnerships that the Disney Company will enter into and will include limits on fat, saturated fat, sugar and calories. So how will they specifically implement this plan includes eliminating all trans fats from foods served at the parks by the end of 2007 and from any licensed products by the end of 2008.

Disney is basing their guidelines on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Developed in cooperation with two top child wellness and health experts include kid-focused licensed food limits such as:

• A cap on calories that results in appropriate kid-sized portions
• Total fat will not exceed 30 percent of calories for main and side dishes and 35 percent for snacks.
• Saturated fat will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes, side dishes and snacks.
• Added sugar will not exceed 10 percent of calories for main dishes and side dishes and 25 percent of calories for snacks.
• Disney will continue to license special-occasion sweets such as birthday cakes and seasonal candy as part of its product range but will limit the number of indulgence items in its licensed portfolio to 15 percent by 2010.

The development and implementation of these dietary guidelines is a sign of Disney's continued commitment to children and their health. Disney plays an important role in the life of children and their imagination - who doesn't want to go to the most magical place on Earth or enjoy the fun of Disney products? These dietary guidelines will also be a treat for parents who like to limit their children's intake of sweets and other non-healthy products -the Disney branding taking point on providing great food choices is going to make our job as parents easier.

The Walt Disney Company is calling this a first step initiative and that they will continue to evolve this over time. Parents will be able to substitute carrots, applesauce and juice on their children's meals at no additional cost and still have the option of fries if they want. This provides parents with the control and makes Disney part of the solution instead of the problem.

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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