Fatty-salty food is the secret of McDonald's success, says chief

London, Jan 2 (ANI): While too much of salt and fat is considered to be unhealthy, a promoter for McDonald credits both these ingredients for the success of the leading fast-food chain.

Jill McDonald, chief marketing officer for McDonald's UK, admitted that if the unhealthy ingredients were removed from the food, consumers would definitely look for some other place to eat.ven though McDonald's has won some plaudits among those trying to promote a better diet, with its healthier choices of salads and more chicken, Jill McDonald says that burgers still remain the choice of food among the public.

"Although we are very clear we are a burger business - that is why primarily people come to us - our customers are more aware of the need to follow a balanced diet and we needed to move in line with what customers wanted," the Scotsman quoted her as saying.

"But fat and salt makes food taste good. There is no point taking all the fat and salt out of your food because people won't like it and they will eat with someone else. We have to make small steps to help people improve their diet," she stated.

Meanwhile, Fife-based nutritionist Carina Norris said that the problem was that people had got used to eating fatty and salty foods and liked them.

"Ideally, we would like people to start weaning themselves off these tastes and on to healthier options," Norris said.

"But failing that, it would be great if restaurants and manufacturers did their own bit by taking salt and fat out of foods.

"The problem from a business point of view is that no-one wants to be the first one to take fat and salt out of their foods and make them less tasty. People would go somewhere else.

"But if someone like McDonald's would be willing to take this step and people adapted to healthier options, that would be very welcome," she added. (ANI)