McDonald's Adds Organic Milk To Its Ethical Coffee Beans
UK Press Releases
June 27, 2007
McDonald's is adding organic milk to its Rainforest Alliance certified coffee beans to serve up what it believes will be the most ethical cup of coffee on the British high street.
From 1 July every cup of McDonald's coffee will be made with British organic semi-skimmed milk.
McDonald's switched its coffee beans to 100 per cent Rainforest Alliance certified supply in January, in a move that boosted sales by over ten per cent.
The company now serves close to 145,000 cups of coffee a day and believes that there is plenty of growth for it in Britain's £1.3 billion coffee market.
McDonald's UK CEO Steve Easterbrook said: "British consumers are increasingly interested in the quality, sourcing and ethics of the food and drink they buy. This has led to growth in the supply of British produced organic milk, which has enabled us to make this move for our customers."
The McDonald's move is also good news for British farmers. The company estimates that initial orders will take approximately five per cent of Britain's organic milk production, but hopes that, similar to its switch from battery eggs to free range eggs, its commitment to organic milk will increase consumer demand and help the organic milk market to grow.
This is part of a wider modernisation plan of McDonald's menu and restaurants. More than 60 per cent of McDonald's current menu has been launched in the last four years, including new burgers, Toasted Deli Sandwiches and its salad range. An extensive refurbishment plan is also underway; this year alone McDonald's is investing more than £25 million in a new kitchen format and new designs and furnishings for its exteriors and dining areas.
For further information please contact McDonald's press office on 020 8700 7320.
Notes to editors:
1. Seven million litres of organic British milk will be used every year in white coffee, cappuccino, latte and hot chocolate.
2. A further 1.1 million litres will also be used in tea as McDonald's will also be switching its mini pots of milk - known as jiggers - to organic semi-skimmed milk.
3. Adding the bottles of organic semi-skimmed milk already sold in restaurants, McDonald's will be using some 8.5 million litres of organic semi-skimmed milk every year.
