DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) - Wendy's International Inc. said Tuesday it has added more nutritious options to kids' menus, allowing customers to choose fruit over fries and adding chocolate milk as a substitute for soft drinks.

Reduced fat (2 percent) white milk and lowfat (1 percent) chocolate milk in 8-ounce plastic containers can be substituted at no additional cost with a kid's meal, said Bob Bertini, a spokesman for Dublin, Ohio-based fast food chain.

White milk previously had been offered in cardboard containers, but Bertini said research showed children prefer colorful, kid-oriented packaging.

Customers can order a mandarin orange fruit cup instead of fries.

The changes follow a nine-month test offering at 420 Wendy's restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, Miami, Philadelphia and Raleigh, N.C.

Wendy's has 5,760 stores nationwide and is neck-and-neck with rival Burger King for the No. 2 restaurant chain spot behind McDonald's Corp.

McDonald's began offering apple slices instead of fries and juice or lowfat milk instead of soft drinks with their Happy Meal options last month.

Wendy's also is testing a meal promotion for adults allowing customers to substitute chili, a baked potato or side salad for fries at no added cost. Some stores in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, La., Portland, Ore., and Charleston, W. Va., are offering that option.

07/20/04 19:00 EDT

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