Unistraw International, McDonald’s and Dreamworks -Shrek the Third have formed a partnership to promote healthy eating to Australian and New Zealand families.

June 7 , 2007

McDonalds, Dreamworks Animation SKG and Australian company Unistraw International form an alliance that promotes healthy menu options, fun and a very large green ogre.

Emerging Australian company Unistraw International has formed a unique partnership with McDonalds and Dreamworks Animation SKG to promote healthier eating habits to Australian and New Zealand children. The world’s largest restaurant chain believes the strong imagery generated by Shrek the Third will assist with their efforts to direct consumers to their newly introduced healthy menu options for children. 

The enormous general appeal of Shrek was the catalyst for the development of the Shrek Happy Meal which includes; Shrek shaped pasta served in a Shrek shaped clam, green ripper grippers, a Sludge (choc-banana flavour) Sipahh Milk Flavouring Straw and a Shrek toy. Sipahh Milk Flavouring Straws are the launch product of the innovative Australian company Unistraw International.  Martin Chimes CEO of Unistraw International believes Australians are looking for nutritious options for their children when they dine out, he said “We are thrilled to be part of a promotion that is a world first, a promotion that is unique, a promotion that combines healthy eating with enormous fun value for children not offered by anyone else, anywhere in the world. Unistraw International, McDonalds Australia/New Zealand and Dreamworks Animation are pioneering a new approach to good food and good fun. For a recently launched Australian company to be invited to help these global heavyweights promote healthy eating options for children is acknowledgement that Unistraw with its Sipahh straws for Milk has a leading role to play in aligning healthy food with fun”.

In an effort to provide meal options that are fun and nutritionally sound, McDonald’s restaurants in Australia and New Zealand are promoting the fun approach to healthier eating by offering families the Shrek Pasta Happy Meal option served with reduced fat milk and a Sipahh Sludge (Banana Choc flavoured) straw. It seems that the combination of fun and nutrition is a rarity. Sipahh straws for Milk have earned the coveted “Green 'Healthy Kids' Nutrient Criteria” rating from the NSW School Canteens Association in Australia. Each Sipahh straw contains less than ½ a teaspoon of sugar, much lower than other milk enhancing products, has no artificial colours, no artificial flavours, no preservatives nor gluten; they have also been rated great fun by kids.

The exclusive Sludge flavour and unique Sipahh/Shrek packaging were developed by Unistraw International in conjunction with McDonalds to complement their mega tie-in to Shrek the Third movie. The Shrek Happy Meal and exclusive Sludge Sipahh straw will be available from 13 June for a limited time in McDonalds Australia and New Zealand. The Shrek Happy Meal is an extension of McDonald’s Australia’s world first, Pasta Zoo Happy Meal, a healthy option that is high in carbohydrates, iron, protein, and calcium, with no artificial colours or flavours and less than 10 grams of fat.