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.