McDonald's is pulling out its weight loss nutrition campaign in schools. Brand ambassador John Cisna will no longer be talking about his McDonald's diet to students, teachers and school officials. The fast food company confirmed this in an announcement Friday.
John Cisna was hired by McDonald's in 2014 after learning how he ate McDonald's for 90 days and lost almost 37 pounds. Eventually, he documented his weight loss journey in the book, "My McDonald's Diet."
John Cisna and his book soon became a viral success, hence McDonald's asked him to be its brand ambassador. The 60-year-old former teacher was featured in a documentary produced by McDonald's on making proper food choices to aid in weight loss. He was also tasked to go around the U.S. to talk to students, teachers and officials about how he succeeded in losing weight with a McDonald's diet. He would regularly post about his school speaking engagements on Twitter.
Here keynote speaker at 100th anniversary of Utah Public Health Association conference. Great reception! @McDonalds pic.twitter.com/J3kgIMwNjg
— John Cisna (@johncisna) April 13, 2016
McDonald's Diet Fad Ambassador Turns Quiet
However, some have noticed that John Cisna has slowly featured less of his school talks on social media. Washington Post confirmed with McDonald's that it has dropped John Cisna's weight loss campaigns in schools, including the use of the source materials created by the fast food chain.
However, the company made no further statements as to the reason for ending the McDonald's diet campaign. It reiterated that Cisna is still a McDonald's brand ambassador who will only be appearing at community events from now on.
McDonald's Stops Sending Fad Diet Teacher Into Schools To Speak About Eating Healthy https://t.co/6jzf8nUbto
— consumerist (@consumerist) May 16, 2016
McDonald's Diet Petition Draws 90,000 Signatures
In October, Bettina Elias Siegel of the school health board advisory in Houston launched a petition addressed to the CEO of McDonald's to put a stop to John Cisna's talks. Nearly 90,000 individuals signed this, which stated that campaign is sending the wrong message about what comprises a healthy diet among kids.
Siegel believes that the petition was the reason why McDonald's dropped John Cisna's school campaigns. "It's going to feel so good to be able to contact my almost 90,000 petition signers and say, 'Guess what? We faced off against one of the largest corporations in the world and we actually won!'" Siegel said.
