McDonald's brings moms behind the scenes

The only obstacle between kids and their french fries: Mom.

So here is Debra DeMuth, McDonald's global nutrition director, mounting a spirited defense of fries to five mothers of young children at a McDonald's in Baltimore.

"They are probably one of the most victimized foods,"DeMuth says.

Plausible reason: A medium order at McDonald's, besides the delectable taste, includes 380 calories, 270 milligrams of sodium and a color preservative called sodium acid pyrophosphate. But DeMuth presses her case, pointing out that fries are rich in potassium, adding, "They are also a really good source of fiber."

One mom replies, "Once you throw them in grease, you kind of ruin it."

Another says, "Potassium is good in bananas."

This is the tricky dialogue that results when the world's largest fast-food chain extols the quality of its food to a group of people -- busy moms -- who often need food fast but don't necessarily trust fast food, especially with worries over obesity sweeping the nation. But McDonald's thinks it has a positive case to make and has recruited mothers to go behind the scenes of the company's operations, meet senior executives and then communicate what they see via the Web, along with appearing in video of their travels.

McDonald's Moms program and french fries