'We Don't Sell Junk Food':McDonald's CEO Disputes a Nine-Year-Old Who Says They 'Trick Kids Into Eating Food That Isn't Good for Them'

An annual shareholder meeting for McDonald's became anything but routine when a nine-year-old girl asked Don Thompson, the CEO, if he wants kids to be healthy and happy, accusing the company of tricking them into eating unhealthy food, according to ABC News.

Hannah Robertson flew from Kelowna, British Columbia, with her mother to attend the meeting in Oak Brook, Illinois, at the company's headquarters on Thursday.

"Something I don't think is fair is when big companies try to trick kids into eating food that isn't good for them by using toys and cartoon characters," Robertson said to Thompson. "If parents haven't taught their kids about healthy eating then the kids probably believe that junk food is good for them because it might taste good."

Robertson's mother, Kia, attended the meeting as part of an advocacy group, Corporate Accountability International, headquarted in Boston, though it has offices around the world. She started "Today I Ate a Rainbow" in 2009 and described it as an "interactive nutritional game." She is also a nutrition blogger.

One of the goals of Corporate Accountability International is to stop "predatory marketing to kids," according to Juliana Schulman, the senior organizer of the group. "Our main goal is to protect people from irresponsible and dangerous actions around the world.

"They were really excited to partner with us and come with us to the shareholders' meeting yesterday," Shulman said of the Robertsons.

"It would be nice if you stopped trying to trick kids into wanting to eat your food all the time," Robertson said to Thompson. "I make cooking videos with my mom that show kids that eating healthy can be fun and yummy.

"We teach them that eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables makes kids healthier, smarter and happier because that is the truth," said Robertson. "Mr. Thompson, don't you want kids to be healthy so they can live a long and happy life?"

Thompson thanked her for the question and refuted her statement that McDonald's makes junk food.

"First off, we don't sell junk food, Hannah," Thompson said. "My kids also eat McDonald's."

Thompson then pointed out that McDonald's sells fruits and vegetables, as well as side salads. A spokeswoman for McDonald's declined to elaborate on Thompson's response.