McDonald’s® Singapore and Coca‑Cola Singapore partner to bring lower-sugar beverages to Singaporeans nationwide

SINGAPORE, 28 February 2019 – McDonald’s Singapore and Coca‑Cola Singapore are working together to bring a range of lower-sugar beverages to Singaporeans nationwide to help them consume less calories and sugar. Starting from today, all McDonald’s restaurants across Singapore will offer Coca‑Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar, a lower-sugar beverage that delivers the delicious and refreshing Coca‑Cola taste but with 30 per cent less sugar. Coca‑Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar will become the default beverage in McDonald’s Extra Value Meals.

This will increase the line-up of lower-sugar beverages (awarded Heathier Choice Symbol) currently available at McDonald’s, which includes Coca‑Cola No Sugar, Sprite Less Sugar and Minute Maid 100% Orange Juice, while lower-sugar versions of Heaven & Earth Iced Lemon Tea and Heaven & Earth Jasmine Green Tea will be available in the second half of the year.

These actions are part of McDonald’s Singapore and Coca‑Cola Singapore’s efforts to give Singaporeans more of the drinks they want, while supporting the “War on Diabetes” – the government’s national plan to prevent the rise of diabetes in Singapore. McDonald’s Singapore is the first F&B retailer in Singapore to make this move, in line with its commitment to promote lower-sugar beverages to Singaporeans.

“We understand that consumer preferences are evolving, and consumers are looking for balanced choices to meet their lifestyle needs. With that in mind, and in support of the nation’s war on diabetes, we are 100% committed to being part of the solution by partnering with Coca‑Cola Singapore to offer Singaporeans lower-sugar beverage options across our 134 restaurants island-wide. Given our reach, we believe we can help facilitate the adoption of lower-sugar beverages,” said Kenneth Chan, Managing Director, McDonald’s Singapore.

McDonald’s Evolving Food Journey

McDonald’s has been on a continuous food journey to evolve its menu, staying relevant to its customers’ needs here in Singapore. Since 2005, McDonald’s introduced wholesome options such as the Corn Cups, Salads and Low-Fat Milk (in Happy Meals), and in 2011, McDonald’s started giving customers the option of Corn Cup swaps as part of a meal purchase at no extra charge. In 2014, McDonald’s made the switch to Canola blend oil, reducing the amount of saturated fat in the Chicken McNuggets by 30 per cent. Over the years, the brand has also launched a range of wholegrain breakfast options including wholegrain muffins, wholegrain McWraps and most recently, the Red Rice Porridge made with 100% wholegrain red rice.

Coca‑Cola’s Lower-Sugar Beverages

Coca‑Cola Singapore has been on a journey to become a total beverage company, giving Singaporeans more of the drinks they are looking for, including lower and no-sugar options across a wide array of categories. Further to the introduction of Coca‑Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar, other recent efforts by the company include launching Authentic Tea House, a new line of ready-to-drink teas with lower or no sugar, and reducing the sugar content in Sprite, Fanta Orange and Fanta Strawberry. Today, 55 percent of Coca‑Cola’s portfolio in Singapore are lower- or no-sugar drinks awarded with the Healthier Choice Symbol.

“At Coca‑Cola, we are continually listening to people who love our brands and beverages and looking for ways to anticipate and satisfy changing desires and needs. In Singapore, many Singaporeans are telling us they want more drinks that taste great but have less sugar and fewer calories. That’s why we made a commitment in 2017 to offer more lower- and no-sugar options to help Singaporeans better manage the amount of sugar and calories they get from our drinks. This partnership with McDonald’s Singapore to offer Singaporeans lower-sugar beverage options across their restaurants nation-wide is one of the many actions we’re taking to fulfil our commitment. Going forward, we will continue to rethink many of our recipes to add options that reduce sugar, and innovate to launch new, lower- or no-sugar drinks,” said Ahmed Yehia, Country Manager of Coca‑Cola Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

For media queries, please contact:

Golin, on behalf of McDonald’s Singapore

Tiffany Khoo

Manager

Contact Number: 9664 5211

Email: tkhoo@golin.com

White Rook Advisory, on behalf of Coca‑Cola Singapore

Amanda Goh

Regional Director

Contact Number: 9181 1684

Email: amanda@white-rook.com

About McDonald’s Restaurants

In Singapore, McDonald’s has a network of more than 130 restaurants island-wide, 15 Drive-Thrus, over 30 dessert kiosks and over 50 McCafé outlets.

McDonald’s is the first in the industry to offer super-convenience with McDelivery 24/7TM (online ordering available at www.mcdelivery.com.sg), 24 hours Drive-Thru, 24 hours dining at a majority of restaurants daily or on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays) and Breakfast from 4am.

McDonald’s employs more than 9,000 people in Singapore and serves more than 6 million customers every month. It is the recipient of the Aon Hewitt Best Employer award in 2007 (Singapore), 2009 (Singapore & Asia) and 2011 (Singapore & Asia, and the inaugural national Service Excellence award in 2008. McDonald’s Singapore also won Best Mature and Re-employment Practices and Best Recruitment Strategies at the HRM Awards 2014.

McDonald’s has received recognition for its green efforts winning eleven “Green Mark for Restaurants” certifications by the Building & Construction Authority of Singapore. McDonald’s was also the first in the industry to achieve the Platinum Green Mark award for its restaurants at Jurong Central Park and Yishun SAFRA.

McDonald’s has been on a continuous food journey to evolve its menu for the better, whilst staying relevant to its customer’s needs here in Singapore. Since 2005, McDonald’s introduced wholesome options such as the Corn Cups, Salads and Low-Fat Milk (in Happy Meals), and in 2011, McDonald’s started giving customers the option of Corn Cup swaps as part of a meal purchases at no extra charge. In 2014, McDonald’s made the switch to Canola blend oil, reducing the amount of saturated fat in the Chicken McNuggets by 30 per cent. Over the years, the brand has also launched a range of wholegrain breakfast options including wholegrain muffins, wholegrain McWraps and most recently, the Red Rice Porridge made with 100% wholegrain red rice.

For further information on McDonald’s Singapore, please log on to www.mcdonalds.com.sg.

About Coca‑Cola Singapore

The Coca‑Cola system in Singapore manufactures, markets and distributes more than 40 different beverages options in Singapore, of which 55 percent are lower or no sugar options to help people in Singapore enjoy the great tastes they know and love while managing their sugar intake. In addition to our namesake Coca‑Cola drinks, some of our leading brands in Singapore include: Fanta, Sprite, A&W, Schweppes, Minute Maid juices, Aquarius isotonic drinks, Heaven and Earth teas, Georgia coffee, Dasani waters, glacéau vitaminwater and Zico coconut water. Coca‑Cola has been refreshing Singaporeans for over 80 years and is committed to making a lasting, positive difference in the local community.

For more information about Coca‑Cola Singapore visit: www.coca-cola.com/sg/en