McDonald’s forced to use real maple syrup in McOatmeal due to Vermont maple syrup law
McDonald’s Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets are served the world over, but only in Vermont can diners at the fast-food giant now get pure maple syrup with their oatmeal.
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin announced Thursday that McDonald’s USA has agreed to offer pure Vermont maple syrup or sugar with its Fruit and Maple Oatmeal menu item, beginning in February.
Vermont is the nation’s largest producer of maple syrup, and it upholds strict maple laws.
The state previously said McDonald’s use of maple in its advertising for its oatmeal did not meet regulations because it did not actually contain maple.
For now, the pure Vermont maple syrup will be offered only in-state, but Shumlin said he would encourage McDonald’s to use the state’s prize crop elsewhere.
It might very well be that McDonalds didn’t forsee an issue with passing artificial maple flavoring as real maple syrup. Many people don’t really know the difference outside of the northeast.
I chalk that up to a pr and branding failure on the part of the maple syrup industry. They have such a huge opportunity to brand maple syrup – imagine if they took a page of the wine producers playbook. Vintages, locations, ages, etc.
It is too bad the state must get involved in things like this.
Robert from http://www.maplesyrupsource.com/blog