McDonald's Removes Iconic Smile from Happy Meal Packaging

Global leading QSR chain McDonald's has made a symbolic change to its iconic Happy Meal boxes as part of mental health awareness week, reminding kids that it's OK not to always be happy.

Up to 2.5 million plain Happy Meal boxes without the iconic smily face have been distributed to 1,400 restaurants around the world following a research study which highlighted that nearly half (48%) of UK children feel pressured to be happy constantly. In its place is a simple message saying It's OK not to feel happy all the time, together with stickers depicting various emotions that children can use to express their feelings.

Mental Health Awareness Week ran from 13-19th May. The theme for this year's campaign was Movement, focused on the benefits of moving more for our mental health.