McDonald’s Introduces “McItaly” Line of Burgers
EmailABC's Ann Wise reports from Rome: Italy’s Agriculture Minister cheerfully shed his jacket and donned a McDonald’s apron today to launch the ‘McItaly’ line — two new sandwiches and a salad featuring all-Italian produce. McDonald’s latest effort to “go Italian” was presented by the Minister, Luca Zaia and the head of McDonald’s Italia, Roberto Masi, at the flagship restaurant near the Spanish Steps in Rome. “McDonald’s speaks Italian,” said the banners (in Italian). Beaming as he prepared one of the new burgers with artichoke spread (“they tell me that the sandwiches have to have a ‘spread’”), Asiago cheese, and lettuce – all produced in Italy including the hamburger meat and the bread — Zaia said he was excited by this new project . “This sandwich has great ambitions,” he said, noting that the production of the new sandwiches will use 1,000 tons of Italian agricultural products a month, for a value of about 5 billion lire. The other McItaly hamburger is garnished with Italian olive oil, onion and smoked pancetta. Zaia hopes these sandwiches, and the lettuce, bresaola and parmesan salad, will re-introduce Italian flavors to the huge numbers of young people – 50% of the under 30 crowd – who go to McDonalds in Italy. “We want to give an imprint of Italian flavors to our youngsters,” Zaia said. When Italian farmers complained that Zaia was dealing with the enemy – McDonald’s has long been seen in Europe as a negative influence on local produce and cuisine – he countered, saying “I will always defend farmers’ markets, but the big numbers are in organized distribution, which is where 75% of Italy’s agriculture goes.” The McItaly burgers will be on sale in Italy only for at least seven weeks starting tomorrow. If the initial run is successful (they hope to sell 3.5 million of the Italian burgers) McDonalds will consider selling them outside of Italy. Another Italian version of the hamburger, the Parmigiano Reggiano burger, has recently started selling in France as well as Switzerland and Italy. Zaia wants the new sandwiches to go global, and the Italian agricultural products with them.
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Where can I sign up for these yummy and semi-healthy sounding burgers rather than our trans-fat & mayo smothered things?
Posted by: Cheryl | January 26, 2010, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Why not introduce the McPizza Burger with a beef patty covered with pizza sauce with melted mozzarella cheese–all on a sesame seed bun? I’m sure that will sell a lot better than an artichoke burger.
Posted by: ivan12 | January 26, 2010, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
It will have that McDonald smell. No matter what they make.
Posted by: Kathy | January 26, 2010, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
Last I knew Italy was using the Euro
Posted by: kevin | January 26, 2010, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
The other McItaly hamburger is garnished with Italian olive oil, onion and smoked pancetta.
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Now that one sounds truly tasty…depending on the bread. Ciabbata maybe?
Posted by: malcat | January 26, 2010, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
Oh, how McStupid!
Imagine fat, stoned, & stupid McItalian teenagers on their McScooters stopping by and ordering a burger with Asiago cheese and McArtichoke cream.
Posted by: Only In Italy | January 26, 2010, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm
[sarcasm]
Yummmmm! I can’t wait to go across the pond so that I can have a McItaly Burger.
[/sarcasm]
Posted by: Noz | January 26, 2010, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
I think it’s cool when McDonald’s “goes native.” I’ve had chicken mcnuggets with wasabi sauce in Hong Kong, a “McKrocket” — kinda like a swedish meatball sandwich — in Amsterdam, a McDonald’s pizza (yes, pizza) in Canada, and most recently a “McFarm” burger featuring a pork patty in Greece. I’d recommend all except the McKrocket. Oh yeah, and you know what kind of salad they offer in Greece? A Greek Salad, of course.
Posted by: twocents | January 26, 2010, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm
McDonald’s is no different than any other fast food, or even regular restaurant…..all restaurants are dependent on filling you up with starches and carbs, to justify their menu prices, and to heck with healthy.
The frozen food industry, is also guilty of doing exactly the same.
Eating out, or heating up frozen entrees….the result is the same….obesity.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | January 26, 2010, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
Italy and the European Union should sue McDonald’s for infringement.
Posted by: blitherer | January 26, 2010, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
MacDonald has the best chance of introducing low fat, low carb, low salt yummy and pathogen-free foods to the world because it remains the most popular fast food place in the world. In the past few years MacDonald’s has introduced several salads with low fat dressings, low fat yogurt parfait, grilled white meat sandwiches. With the new McItaly, McDonald is heading to becoming the fast health food restaurant by millions every day. We Americans can all be proud of today’s McDonald’s even those who are on a restricted diet and need to stay away from junk food. The range of choice is truly outstanding. Go Mac. American private enterprise at work.
Posted by: gjkotw01 | January 26, 2010, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
we’ve switched to Euros ten years ago buddy…
Posted by: io | January 26, 2010, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
Right about the Euro switch and the fact that it is still fast food. Next thing you know we will see a “Meatball McNugget”
Posted by: EMRoss | January 26, 2010, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
And when in the Far East, enjoy some McSushi, McKimchi, Filet-o-flopping Fish and McPuppy!
Posted by: FlaGer | January 26, 2010, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
yum
Posted by: conner | January 26, 2010, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm
Hey I think this is great! It helps out the local farmers. I think if it catches on McDonalds can do this around the world and maybe start doing the same in America making Americans eat healthier from organic grown produce. Each country could use the dollars from this mega giant corporation which can use local produce to supplement its need for lettuce, tomatoes and other condiments.
Posted by: Bob | January 27, 2010, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Hey, listen to me, i’m 100% italian and mc donald’s is the last place on earth an italian would consider if he wants to eat some good food! I go to a mc donald’s only if I wanna eat something american and I wanna eat it fast! Introducing healty-like mc donald’s foods in a country that actually invented the most balanced and healty way to eat (dieta mediterranea, never heard of it?)simply doesen’t make sense! Let US make good food, YOU are so good in doing burgers…
Posted by: io | January 27, 2010, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
McDonald’s is still McDonalds.
Best thing about McD is they took over Pret Manger
Annette Aaron Eventufulls
Posted by: annette aaron eventfulls | January 27, 2010, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
Certain people will always “down” McDonald’s with all the name slurs and others will comment that it’s ok as a every now-and-then fast food. That McDonald’s is looking into new markets and new ideas is creative and shows just why they have over a 100 billion burgers sold. So if you don’t like it, shut up and move on. If you do like it, champion it.
Posted by: Miss Brown Eyes | February 3, 2010, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
Italy use euro since 2002!
Posted by: giovanni | February 3, 2010, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
Im with u annette aaron eventfulls! Mc Donalds is now, has been for decades, and will always be a multi million dollar resuuraunt. I personally HATE some things on the menue and LOVE some other things on it. All the pathetic souls writing ignorat remarks like Mc Donalds represents America as a whole, well there are PLENTY of stereotypes for your (and every country) as well. I like food of all countries, PLENTY of bad and good no matter where you eat! Thanx!
Posted by: Jaz D | February 9, 2010, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
hey man, just cause its macdonald’s doesnt mean its crap. Macdonald’s in LA makes some damn good breakfast burritos(when I used to live there)- big gigantic fat ones. I’m Mex/Amer., so it met my standard. Easy to get, and cheap. I wish the ones in Bay area had them too. Those tiny ones they have available nationwide are pretty bad though. My point is that Mac D is capable of making good regional food.
Posted by: bigvic | February 27, 2010, 1:39 am 1:39 am