McWhoops: McDonald’s tells workers to avoid fast food

McDonald’s (MCD) may want to change its name to McBlunder. 

The fast-food giant has slipped up yet again in an effort to provide helpful advice to its workers. This time, the burger chain is advising employees to avoid eating fast food because it “may put people at risk for becoming overweight,” according to CNBC. 

That seems like rich advice from a company that’s responsible for spreading fast-food across the globe, and has sold more than 300 billion burgers in its history. The ironic advice follows two other tone-deaf internal messages McDonald's sent to its workers.

Earlier this month, McDonald’s offered holiday tipping advice to employees, many of whom earn rock-bottom wages. The ideas ranged from how much to gift an au pair, to tips for garage attendants and massage therapists, amounting to thousands of dollars in pay. The advice was laughably out of touch for many of the company's workers, who make a median wage of $8.78 per hour.

Then there was the company’s not-so-helpful budget advice, which included the suggestion of tacking on a second job. McDonald’s also left off basics such as budgeting for child care and paying for water. 

As for its meal advice, McDonald’s suggests “healthier choices” such as “sandwiches that can be loaded with vegetables.” (Hmm, Subway, anyone?) “Eat at places that offer a variety of salads, soups and vegetables to help maintain your best health,” the company’s internal website suggests. 

McDonald’s stood by the advice, telling CBS MoneyWatch in a statement that “portions of this website continue to be taken entirely out of context.” 

“This website provides useful information from respected third-parties about many topics, among them health and wellness.  It also includes information from experts about healthy eating and making balanced choices. McDonald’s agrees with this advice,” the statement said.

McDonald’s offers “a variety of balanced menu choices and have introduced oatmeal, grilled chicken, egg whites and real-fruit smoothies in a range of serving sizes for adults and kids.”

But then again, maybe there's something to McDonald's defense of its own food. Just take a look at Don Thompson, the company's CEO. He made headlines earlier this year with his weight loss secrets: getting active again and eating McDonald's every day.