This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Hannah Robertson, Canadian 9-Year-Old, To McDonald's CEO: Stop 'Tricking Kids Into Eating Your Food'

WATCH: Canadian 9-Year-Old Shames McDonald's CEO
|

A nine-year-old girl from Kelowna, B.C., has become something of a minor celebrity for chastising the CEO of McDonald's over the company's track record on nutrition and its practice of targeting children in advertising.

Hannah Robertson found herself the centre of attention after she addressed McDonald's CEO Don Thompson at the company's annual general meeting in Chicago on Thursday.

"Mr. Thompson, don't you want kids to be healthy so they can live a long and happy life?" Robertson asked. "It would be nice if you stopped trying to trick kids into wanting to eat your food all the time."

According to Global News, Robertson and her mom Kia were invited to speak at the meeting because they are part of an online group called "Moms Not Lovin' It," which is campaigning against McDonald's for "undermin[ing] the efforts of parents to feed kids healthfully."

The campaign is being run by the Boston-based advocacy group Corporate Accountability International.

CEO Thompson stood by the company's menu, saying McDonald's doesn't "sell junk food," pointing out items such as the yogurt parfait and side salad and noting that the company has been adding more fruits and vegetables.

"The way you describe us is not who we are," he said. "We're not predators."

That wasn't good enough for Robertson.

Back home in Kelowna, Robertson continues to press the issue.

"I just wanted to have a voice for all of those kids and parents who wouldn't have that opportunity," she told CBC. "I was trying to say to them to try not to market to kids."

-- With files from the Associated Press

Also on HuffPost

Mind-Blowing Fast Food Inventions
Mcdonald's - Pizza(01 of09)
Open Image Modal
That's right, McDonald's actually once served a pizza. The company hoped the idea would be its next "McHit" around 1989, according to the New York Times. The item was largely considered a fail, but that hasn't stopped a cult following from forming around the dish. (credit:Flickr/Roadsidepictures)
Baskin-Robbins - Turkey Cake(02 of09)
Open Image Modal
It's a turkey, but it's also a cake, but it's also ice cream? This slightly bizarre specialty item became available in November of 2012. (credit:Baskin-Robbins)
KFC - Double Down(03 of09)
Open Image Modal
The sandwich is rather simple: just chicken cheese and bacon, sans the bread. But that hasn't stopped over 10 million people from trying it. (credit:Flickr/Nyer82)
McDonald's - Shamrock Shake(04 of09)
Open Image Modal
McDonald's first introduced this mint-flavored shake topped with whipped cream and a cherry in 1970. Since then, it has garnered somewhat of a cult following at McDonald's. Despite such popularity, it can still only be purchased during certain times of the year. (credit:McDonald's )
Taco Bell - Doritos Locos Tacos(05 of09)
Open Image Modal
After it busted onto the scene in March of 2012, the Doritos locos taco quickly became the most popular item in Taco Bell history. In February, the fast food chain announced that a whopping 325 million had been sold. (credit:Facebook/Taco Bell )
Burger King - Memphis BBQ Sandwich(06 of09)
Open Image Modal
The Memphis BBQ sandwich, which hit menus last June, includes Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet ‘n Spicy BBQ sauce, bringing a bit of country cooking to Burger King's menu. And it may have just inspired other fast food chains, like Carl's Jr and Hardee's, to explore BBQ-themed items as well. (credit:Burger King)
Starbucks - Pumpkin Spice Latte(07 of09)
Open Image Modal
Every fall, customers begin to crave Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte, so much so that the coffee giant struggled with a shortage last year due to have demand. (Containers of the syrup sold for as much as $50 on eBay.) (credit:Flickr/Jeff Hester)
Burger King - Cheesy Tots(08 of09)
Open Image Modal
The cheesy tots first made their way onto Burger King's menu in 2006. But they disappeared a few years later, leading to a Facebook campaign to bring the tots back.Correction: An earlier version of the slide incorrectly stated that cheesy tots were introduced in 2010. (credit:Burger King )
McDonald's - McRib(09 of09)
Open Image Modal
The barbecue-slathered McRib was such a hit in 1981 that it became a seasonal menu item the next year. The item is so popular, in fact, that it even boosted McDonald's profits at the end of last year. (credit:McDonald's)

-- This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.