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SCMP Reporter

Round-the-block queues for McDonald's are set to return, with the fast-food chain launching a Hello Kitty promotion to rival last year's McSnoopy mania.

 From Monday, the cute cartoon character, which adorns everything from fridges to toilet-seat covers, will help peddle hamburgers and french fries.

 McDonald's outlets will be selling a different pair of collectible Hello Kitty stuffed toys each week for five weeks.

 Public relations consultant Shiring Lee Shui-ying would not say how many toys were available, but insisted there was no need for a first-day crush.

 Last September, the chain's Snoopy promotion, in which a different toy was sold each day for 28 days, led to hours-long line-ups and violent rows over queue jumping.

 Local Hello Kitty fans have led multibillion-dollar sales for Sanrio, which makes more than 15,000 Hello Kitty products.

 But while they will no doubt create a sea of pink outside McDonald's outlets in support of McKitty, the promotion has had a less-than-enthusiastic reception from a health expert.

 Nutrition Association president-elect Dr Susan Lui Sau-han said Hong Kong children were already among the fattest in the world and a new reason to eat fatty, sugary food would worsen the situation.

 She said: 'It's important that children don't have it every day.

 'Once a week is better than once a day, as long as they select low-fat food and don't have a soda every time. It depends how they balance it.'  Each Hello Kitty toy will cost $18 with a food order of $15 or more. Customers will be limited to two toys per visit.

 The toys' outfits will change week by week, from school uniforms to traditional Chinese dress, wedding garb, McDonald's uniforms and beach gear.



McKitty mania on the way