“Most fast food restaurants in this analysis made statements supporting racial justice initiatives including increased dialogue on racial discrimination. Some went further and pledged financial donations to racial justice and civil rights organizations, funding for equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, and changes to internal practices to root out discrimination, hate, and intolerance,” the report states. A few restaurants promised to increase diverse representation in advertising.

Significantly, the report points out, “not one statement addressed companies’ core business models, or the commercial determinants of health, that push primarily unhealthy, low-cost food and beverages to increase profits. This disproportionate marketing of high-calorie unhealthy products targeted to Black and Brown communities fuels health inequities.”

The report authors, Sally Mancini, MPH, Director of Advocacy Resources; Melissa McCann, MPH, Research Technician;  and Jennifer Harris, PhD, MBA, Senior Research Advisor; note that “Targeting youth of color with high-calorie nutritionally poor products may contribute to fast-food restaurants’ financial success, but it may come at the expense of contributing to equitable health outcomes. Yet alongside their extensive targeted marketing of unhealthy foods, many fast-food restaurants publicly have announced support for communities of color or specific actions to increase racial justice and equity.”