It’s one of the most popular competitions every year, but it seems that McDonald’s Monopoly is under threat.
Tom Watson, deputy Labor leader, has slammed the popular game and claims that it should be dropped.
On Twitter, Mr. Watson called the game a ‘grotesque marketing ploy’, and labeled it a ‘danger to public health’.
In the competition, McDonald’s give away millions of lucrative prizes, ranging from free food to cars.
And while it’s set to start on Wednesday, Mr. Watson has called written to McDonald’s, urging them to cancel it.
His letter states: “It is unacceptable that this campaign aims to manipulate families into ordering junk food more frequently and in bigger portions, in the faint hope of winning a holiday, a car, or a cash prize many would otherwise struggle to afford”, the Observer reported.
However, it seems that McDonald’s will go ahead with this year’s competition.
A McDonald’s UK spokesman said: “This year’s Monopoly campaign sees customers receive prize labels on carrot bags, salads, and our Big Flavor Wraps range and we have removed the incentive to ‘go large’, providing the same number of prize labels and chances to win on a medium meal as you get on a large.
“Nutrition information is clearly displayed online, on our app, in the restaurant, and across our packaging and we continue to review, refine and reformulate our menu to reduce saturated fat, salt, and sugar.”
It comes as the government considers banning junk food adverts on TV before 9 pm to fight the “epidemic” of childhood obesity.
Plans for the new watershed have been put out for public consultation in a bid to combat the growing crisis, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
One in three children leaves primary school overweight or obese and the number of children classed as seriously obese is at a record high, it added.
Campaigners, doctors, and politicians welcomed the announcement about the proposed advertising ban.
TV chef Jamie Oliver said: “If we don’t find effective ways to improve our kids’ health, UK children will live shorter lives than their parents.
“It’s a fact that kids are hugely influenced by junk food ads – so the media and the food industry has a real opportunity here to do something about it.”
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