McDonald's scraps cheeseburgers from Happy Meal menu in new health drive

McDonald's is removing cheeseburgers from its Happy Meal menu in the United States to make its food for children more healthy.

Bottled water will replace chocolate milk on menus too to encourage children to select healthier drink options.

Portions of fries will also be halved in six-piece chicken McNugget Mighty Meals for older children.
Diners will still be able to ask for cheeseburgers or chocolate milk with the kids' meal, but the company said banishing them from menus will reduce how often they are ordered.

It said orders for fizzy drinks had fallen by 14% since they were removed from the Happy Meal menu four years ago.

Future plans also include more healthy side options in addition to fruit and vegetables as an alternative to fries. Restaurants in Spain offer pineapple spears and cooked corn is on the menu in China, Japan and Taiwan.

The firm, which in the past has been criticised for using toys to promote its Happy Meals, also wants to offer books as an all-year-round alternative in 100 of its markets around the world by the end of 2019 - up from 20.

The changes are due to take effect in the United States by June.