The growing backlash against McDonald鈥檚 Canada鈥檚 decision to serve nuts that are not in individual, sealed packages may ultimately force the company to reverse course, one marketing expert believes.

Tony Chapman, a Toronto-based marketing consultant and business strategist, said he doesn鈥檛 understand why the fast-food chain would risk alienating customers with peanut and tree nut allergies.

鈥淚 just think it really puts a dent in their brand,鈥� Chapman told 麻豆传媒 Channel on Wednesday.

, McDonald's Canada said it has introduced a new Skor McFlurry that contains chopped nuts, and more menu items with tree nuts or peanuts will follow.

That means that all other food served in McDonald鈥檚 restaurants 鈥渕ay contain or come into contact with peanuts, tree nuts or other allergens,鈥� the company said.

The chain鈥檚 Canadian restaurants had previously only served individually-packaged nuts.

As a brand, Chapman said, McDonald鈥檚 has always had a 鈥渟pecial relationship鈥� with young children鈥檚 parents because they could trust the company when it came to allergens. 

鈥淚f something happens to a child in their restaurant with peanut allergies, all hell will break loose,鈥� he said.

Since McDonald鈥檚 issued the allergy notice this week, customers have been sounding off on social media.

People have been expressing their anger and disappointment in comments on McDonald鈥檚 Canada Facebook page, with many of them saying their families will no longer be eating at the chain鈥檚 restaurants. 

Similar comments were directed at McDonald鈥檚 on Twitter.

 

If there is enough of an outcry, McDonald鈥檚 will likely have to reverse its decision and go back to serving only packaged nuts, Chapman said.

鈥淚 personally think they will move off of this position.鈥�