McDonald's heads Greens' hit list

McDonald's has received some unwanted publicity as the most nominated company in the awards no one wants to win - the Green Party's children's food awards.

The awards, which began last year, are designed to publicise the allegedly exploitative marketing of unhealthy food and drink to children.

Green Party MP Sue Kedgley yesterday announced the finalists and McDonald's was shortlisted in four of the seven categories.

It is a finalist for the pester-power award for its supposed saturation advertising, use of sporting heroes and toys for children, the advertising assault award for not promoting healthy options for children, and for the Trojan Horse award for sponsoring school sport and the Safe Road Crossing programme, which the judges said were ways of "craftily pushing unhealthy drinks and food into schools".

Other companies that were alleged to have used "insidious advertising" were Cadbury for using chocolate bar sales for school fundraisers and Coca-Cola for sponsoring school sport and putting vending machines in schools as fundraisers. But it wasn't all bad news for McDonald's.

It was also nominated for the "most improved" award for providing healthy options such as salad, water and fruit bags.

The "cleanest, greenest food" nominations were Mainland Organic Cheese, fresh fruit and vegetables and breast milk - which was praised for being "local, healthy and free".

Other companies which received multiple nominations in the awards, organised by the Safe Food Campaign, Parents Centre and the Green Party, were Kellogg's, three nominations, and Coca-Cola with two.

McDonald's communications manager in New Zealand, Liam Jeory, said the company would always have a difference of opinion to the Green Party on some issues.

He said the company viewed sponsoring junior sport and the use of role models as a positive move to encourage sport participation.

A panel of seven, including Olympic champion John Walker and former champion marathon runner Allison Roe, compiled shortlists for seven categories in the awards.

The shortlist will be opened to public vote today and the winners will be announced in April.