Golden arches trick kids' taste buds
A recent study involving 63 low-income children ages 3 to 5 from Head Start centers in San Mateo County, California, United States, shows that the youngsters prefer food and drinks in McDonald's packaging instead of items in unmarked packaging. The study will likely stir more debate over the movement to restrict ads to kids.
Anything made by McDonald's tastes better, preschoolers said in a study that powerfully demonstrates how advertising can trick the taste buds of young children.
Even carrots, milk and apple juice tasted better to the kids if it was wrapped in the familiar packaging of the Golden Arches.
The study had youngsters sample identical McDonald's foods in name-brand or unmarked wrappers. The unmarked foods always lost the taste test.
