ND0916114

Title: First Lady Gets Behind Darden Restaurants? Menu Changes

Description: Olive Garden and Red Lobster have committed to lowering calories and sodium in their menu offers and to revamp their children?s menus.

Page Content:

HYATTSVILLE, Md. ? Yesterday, Darden Restaurants Inc. revealed its commitment to healthier fare by announcing its intention to lower the sodium and calories and to redo the children?s menu, the Associated Press reports. First Lady Michelle Obama was on hand during the press conference at an Olive Garden restaurant.

Darden Restaurants, which owns Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52, said it will cut 10 percent of the calories and sodium in every meal over the next five years, and will slash 20 percent within a decade. For the kids? fare, the company will replace sugar-sweetened drinks and French fries with a side of fruit or veggies and 1 percent milk unless otherwise requested, said Drew Madsen, president and COO of Darden.

?We think it's the most comprehensive health and wellness commitment in the industry,? said Madsen.

Obama, as part of her ?Let?s Move? campaign to reduce childhood obesity, has asked restaurants to join her in promoting ?healthy foods and healthy habits to our kids.?

Content Subject: Foodservice

Formatted Article Date: September 16, 2011

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