DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT

Forests throughout the world - vital for all life unnecessary plastic and paper packaging,
- are being destroyed at an appalling rate by the production of which requires
multinational companies. McDonald's have at environmentally-damaging chemicals and

What’s Wrong last been forced to admit to using beef reared

on ex-rainforest land, preventing its
regeneration. Also, the use of farmland by
degradation of forests. Most of the packaging
ends up littering our streets or polluting the
land buried in landfill sites.

With multinationals and their suppliers forces local

people to move on to other areas and cut
down further trees.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
The menus of the burger chains are based on

McDonald’s? McDonald's are the world's largest user of

beef. Methane emitted by cattle reared for the
the torture and murder of millions of animals.
Most are intensively farmed, with no access
to fresh air and sunshine, and no freedom of
beef industry is a major contributor to the movement. Their short lives are cruel and
'global warming' crisis. The heavy use of their deaths are barbaric - 'humane slaughter'
chemicals in modern agriculture destroys is a myth. We have the choice to eat meat or
wildlife, plants and the soil. Every year not, but the billions of animals slaughtered for
McDonald's spend over $2 billion every year worldwide on advertising and promotions, McDonald's use over a million tons of food each year have no choice at all.
trying to cultivate an image of being a 'caring' and 'green' company that is also a fun place to
eat. Children are lured in - dragging their parents behind them - with the promise of toys and WHAT YOU CAN DO
other gimmicks. But behind the smiling face of Ronald McDonald lies the reality: McDonald's Food is central to our everyday lives, yet we have virtually no control over its production and
only interest is money, making profits from whoever and whatever they can, just like all distribution. The way we eat, and even the way we think about food is being manipulated by
multinationals. The company's sales are now $40 billion a year. The continual worldwide these powerful institutions and their sophisticated marketing campaigns. But despite
expansion of fast food chains means more uniformity, less choice and the undermining of strenuous marketing efforts, McDonald's is widely despised, and its 'reputation' - along with
local communities. that of the food industry in general - continues to sink ever further.
PROMOTING UNHEALTHY FOOD Every year on 16th October there is an annual World Day of Action against McDonald's and
McDonald's promote their food as 'nutritious', exploited - and they're compelled to 'smile' all they stand for - with pickets and demonstrations all over the world. Together we can fight
but the reality is that it is processed junk food too! Not surprisingly staff turnover at back against the institutions which currently control our lives and our planet, and we can
- high in fat, sugar and salt, and low in fibre McDonald's is high, making it virtually create a better society without exploitation or oppression. Workers can and do organise
and vitamins. A diet of this type is linked with impossible to unionise and fight for a better together to fight for their rights and dignity. People are increasingly aware of the need to
a greater risk of heart disease, cancer, deal. This suits McDonald's who have always think seriously about the food we and our children eat. Environmental and animal rights
diabetes and other diseases. Their food also been opposed to workers' rights and Unions. protests and campaigns are growing everywhere. People in poor countries are organising
contains many chemical additives, some of The same is true for workers toiling in themselves to stand up to multinationals and banks which dominate the world's economy.
which may cause ill-health, and hyperactivity sweatshops in China to produce McDonald's Why not join in the struggle for a better world? Talk to friends and family, neighbours and
in children. Modern intensive farming and 'happy meal' toys. workmates about these issues. Please copy and circulate this leaflet as widely as you can.
production methods are geared to
maximising profits. As a result, the ROBBING THE POOR For more information, visit: www.mcspotlight.org
widespread use of unnatural practices and The demands made by multinationals for
chemicals has also affected people's health cheap food supplies result in the exploitation
(e.g. BSE and food poisoning). of agricultural workers throughout the world. Please copy and distribute. If unable to copy, contact:
Vast areas of land in poor countries are used Anti-McDonald's Campaign, c/o 245 Gladstone St, Nottingham NG7 6HX
EXPLOITING WORKERS for cash crops or for cattle ranching, or to
Workers in the fast food industry are paid low grow grain to feed animals to be eaten in the
wages. McDonald's do not pay overtime rates West. This is at the expense of local food Your local contact (if applicable) is:
even when employees work very long hours. needs. McDonald's continually promote meat
Pressure to keep profits high and wage costs products, encouraging people to eat meat
low results in understaffing, so staff have to more often, which wastes more and more
work harder and faster. As a consequence, food resources. 7 million tons of grain fed to
accidents (particularly burns) are common. livestock produces only 1 million tons of meat
The majority of employees are people who and by-products. On a plant-based diet and
have few job options and so have no with land shared fairly, almost every region
alternative to being bossed around and could be self-sufficient in food.