Allina eliminating some unhealthy, fast-food options at its Twin Cities hospitals

Allina Health is planning to eliminate some unhealthy foods — and shut down the McDonald's at Abbott Northwestern hospital.

The McDonald's has been inside the hospital since 1988. But by Jan. 1, sugar-sweetened beverages and deep-fried foods won't be available in Allina's 13 hospitals and 90 clinics in the Twin Cities metro area.

"Now that we've learned more and more about the harms that these sugar-sweetened beverages and deep-fried foods can cause, it felt like it was incongruent with the values that we hold so dear as a health care organization," said Dr. Penny Wheeler, Allina's CEO.

The changes are part of an initiative that also includes healthier cafeteria and food service options and clearer nutrition labeling.

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