Changes

'''McDonald's''' is an American fast food chain. McDonald's operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more then 100 countries on 6 continents. <ref>http://www.supersizeme.com/home.aspx?page=bythelb</ref> Although the first McDonalds opened in [[California]] in the 1940s, the first franchise under the corporation as it exists today was opened by Ray Kroc in [[Illinois]] in 1955.

'''McDonald's''' is an American fast-food chain. It operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries on 6 continents.<ref>http://www.supersizeme.com/home.aspx?page=bythelb</ref> Although the first McDonald's opened in [[California]] in the 1940s, the first franchise under the corporation as it exists today was opened by [[Ray Kroc]] in [[Illinois]] in 1955.

==Criticism==

==Criticism==

McDonald's has often been accused of knowingly selling unhealthy food<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=yNFN1OpnkBkC&dq=fast+food+nation&pg=PP1&ots=l_kkxv7x65&sig=M0lMjzxa92mnxMp4CXMS3VaYpLk&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fq%3Dfast%2Bfood%2Bnation%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26client%3Dfirefox-a&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title#PPA2,M1 Fast Food Nation]</ref>. McDonald's states that health is not only an issue of food but also of a balanced active lifestyle<ref>[http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat.html McDonald's Corporate website]</ref>; this is why many McDonald's restaurants have a jungle gym for the children to play in and be active. McDonald's also sells salads and water, two healthy food items, and several drinks that are artificially flavored to taste like fruit.  The [[schlockumentary]] '[[Super Size Me]]' aimed at proving that McDonald's had no interest in healthy customers whatsoever<ref>[http://www.supersizeme.com/ Super Size Me]</ref>.

McDonald's has often been accused of knowingly selling unhealthy food<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=yNFN1OpnkBkC&dq=fast+food+nation&pg=PP1&ots=l_kkxv7x65&sig=M0lMjzxa92mnxMp4CXMS3VaYpLk&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fq%3Dfast%2Bfood%2Bnation%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26client%3Dfirefox-a&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title#PPA2,M1 Fast Food Nation]</ref>. McDonald's states that health is not only an issue of food but also of a balanced active lifestyle<ref>[http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat.html McDonald's Corporate website]</ref>; this is why many McDonald's restaurants have a jungle gym for the children to play in and be active. McDonald's also sells salads and water, two healthy food items, and several drinks that are artificially flavored to taste like fruit.  The "[[schlockumentary]]" ''[[Super Size Me]]'' aimed at proving that McDonald's had no interest in healthy customers whatsoever.<ref>[http://www.supersizeme.com/ Super Size Me]</ref>

=== McLibel Trial ===

=== McLibel Trial ===

In 1990, McDonald's sued for [[libel]] several members of Greenpeace London (an organisation which at the time of the incident was no longer connected with Greenpeace), who had been writing and distributing leaflets criticizing McDonald's.  Of the five defendants, three repented due to lack of money for legal costs.  The remaining two, [[Helen Steel]] and [[Dave Morris]], decided to take the case to court in 1994 with [[pro bono]] legal representation and public donations.  This became known as the [[McLibel]] Trial.<ref>[http://www.mcspotlight.org/case/trial/story.html The McLibel Trial]</ref>

In 1990, McDonald's sued for [[libel]] several members of Greenpeace London (an organisation which at the time of the incident was no longer connected with Greenpeace), who had been writing and distributing leaflets criticizing McDonald's.  Of the five defendants, three repented due to lack of money for legal costs.  The remaining two, [[Helen Steel]] and [[Dave Morris]], decided to take the case to court in 1994 with [[pro bono]] legal representation and public donations.  This became known as the [[McLibel]] Trial.<ref>[http://www.mcspotlight.org/case/trial/story.html The McLibel Trial]</ref>

On day 102 in court - March 13th 1995 - McLibel became the longest ever UK libel trial, beating the previous record of 101 days in the Daily Mail vs The Moonies (1982).

On day 102 in court - March 13, 1995 - McLibel became the longest ever UK libel trial, beating the previous record of 101 days in the Daily Mail vs The Moonies (1982).

On December 11th 1995 it became the longest civil case (as opposed to criminal) in British history.  

On December 11, 1995, it became the longest civil case (as opposed to criminal) in British history.  

On November 1st 1996 (court day 292), McLibel became the longest trial of any kind in English history.

On November 1, 1996 (court day 292), McLibel became the longest trial of any kind in English history.

On 19th June 1997, Mr Justice Bell took two hours to read his summary. He ruled that Steel and Morris had not proved the allegations against McDonald's on rainforest destruction, heart disease and cancer, food poisoning, starvation in the Third World and bad working conditions. But they had proved that McDonald's "exploit children" with their advertising, falsely advertise their food as nutritious, risk the health of their most regular, long-term customers, are "culpabably responsible" for cruelty to animals, are "strongly antipathetic" to unions and pay their workers low wages.

On June 19, 1997, Mr Justice Bell took two hours to read his summary. He ruled that Steel and Morris had not proved the allegations against McDonald's on rainforest destruction, heart disease and cancer, food poisoning, starvation in the Third World and bad working conditions. But they had proved that McDonald's "exploit children" with their advertising, falsely advertise their food as nutritious, risk the health of their most regular, long-term customers, are "culpabably responsible" for cruelty to animals, are "strongly antipathetic" to unions and pay their workers low wages.

('Not proved' does not mean that the allegations against McDonald's are not true, just that the Judge felt that the McLibel Two did not bring sufficient evidence to prove the meanings he had attributed to the leaflet.)

("Not proved" does not mean that the allegations against McDonald's are not true, just that the Judge felt that the McLibel Two did not bring sufficient evidence to prove the meanings he had attributed to the leaflet.)

The Judge ruled that Steel and Morris had libelled McDonald's, but as they had proved many of the allegations, they would only owe half of the claimed damages: £60,000.

The Judge ruled that Steel and Morris had libelled McDonald's, but as they had proved many of the allegations, they would only owe half of the claimed damages: £60,000.