Mum's Happy Meal voucher discovery has parents confused

"I just don’t think we should have to awkwardly ask for the option most kids want anyway"

A Sydney mum has put Macca’s in the spotlight after noticing a detail on their popular sports award vouchers.

McDonald’s has, for decades, supported local sports like soccer clubs and Little Athletics by providing sports awards containing a voucher for a meal.

However, mum Irene has pointed out a little-known detail - and no one is happy about it.

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Image: TikTok / @wifeoflucifer_.

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“There is a picture of the ‘healthier’ version”

Sydney mum Irene, on TikTok as @wifeoflucifer_, has taken to the app after her son Rocco was given an award through his local soccer association.

“This is a sports award that Rocco got on the weekend for soccer. His coach told him he was player of the match,” she said in the video.

“Obviously Rocco was ecstatic when he received this, and he was really excited because he could see a McDonald’s symbol at the top. I took it off him and I said, ‘How exciting! Next time we go to McDonald’s you can get a Happy Meal’, because at the bottom, it says ‘Your reward is a Happy Meal’.”

However, things quickly started to go downhill.

“There is a picture of the ‘healthier’ version of a Happy Meal, but I actually didn’t think that it meant anything,” she said in the video.

“As I was putting it on the fridge, I read the section that said, ‘Hand this voucher [in] when ordering, and it will be our pleasure to reward you with a free wholemeal Crispy Chicken Snack Wrap, Apple Slices, and 250mL pop top of water Happy Meal.”

Image: TikTok / @wifeoflucifer_.

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“My kid does not want apple slices!”

Irene then went on to say how odd it was that McDonald’s was rewarding a child by then limiting them on what they can choose as their meal - saying that given that McDonald’s is already a ‘sometimes’ food for her children, she likes for them to choose whatever they like.

And, commenters tended to agree.

“Like I get it, promoting healthy eating with movement and all, but come on!! Nuggies all the way as a treat!” said one commenter.

“Agree! It’s a treat and it’s exciting for them to get the award and treat,” another person agreed.

“Yeah my son won one at athletics last year & it was popped away lmaooo my kid does not want apple slices,” a third commenter said.

However, a number of Macca’s staff members in the comments said that they would give parents whichever meal they liked, regardless of what was on the voucher.

“As a former manager- we always swapped it any happy meal! I never even read the fine print haha,” said one commenter.

“Most maccas change it if you ask, as long as you don't ask for the 6 nuggets meal,” another agreed.

“It almost makes you feel judged as a parent”

But, speaking to Kidspot, Irene said this only adds to the problem.

“I just think it should be a ‘Happy Meal’ full stop. It almost makes you feel judged as a parent wanting to get your child a cheeseburger. Why should we have to ask to switch?” she asked.

“Some have said it can be changed, others have said they weren’t allowed, one person said once upon a time it was a cheeseburger. Why was it okay then and not now?

“I just don’t think we should have to awkwardly ask for the option most kids want anyway… it’s a waste of time too for the staff. A [conversation] that really doesn’t need to be had.”

Kidspot has reached out to McDonald’s for comment.

Originally published as Mum's Happy Meal voucher discovery has parents confused