Dec. 18—Riley Hospital for Children will say farewell at the end of the month to its McDonald’s — a restaurant that has provided post-procedure treats for patients but stirred controversy over its food offerings.
The IU Health hospital has been in conversations with the fast-food franchise over meeting the guidelines set by the Partnership for a Healthy America, which IU Health joined in October 2012. Last spring, the hospital system banned sugary beverages from its food facilities but temporarily exempted McDonald’s.
But there’s only so much one can do with a menu that features french fries, chicken McNuggets and sugary beverages, all taboo foods according to the partnership.
For the hospital to maintain its relationship with the partnership, McDonald’s had to go.