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San Francisco Lawmakers Take the 'Happy' Out of McDonald's Kids' Meals
Filed under: In The News, Nutrition: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Nutrition: Big Kids
A proposed city ordinance in San Francisco would require the giant hamburger chain to either stop putting little toys for kids in those Happy Meal boxes, or otherwise make them healthier by adding fruit and vegetable portions and limiting calories. Credit: Jeff Chiu, AP
San Francisco became the first city in the country Nov. 2 to give preliminary approval to an ordinance that would limit toy giveaways in fast food children's meals that have excessive calories, sodium and fat. If a restaurant wants to give kids toys, the meals must include servings of fruits or vegetables, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A final vote is expected next week, and the law is scheduled to go into effect Dec.1.
But adults can breathe a sigh of relief that a ban on fatty foods isn't being aimed at them. In separate news, McDonald's announced Nov. 2 that it's bringing back its iconic McRib sandwich, PorkMag.com reports. The sandwich, which weighs in at 500 calories and 23 grams of fat (and that doesn't count fries), will be available at all McDonald's eateries nationwide for the first time since 1994, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Opponents who are saddened by the Happy Meal law include the National Restaurant Association and McDonald's Corp., which used its now wildly-popular Happy Meal to pioneer the use of free toys to market directly to children, the Chronicle reports.
"We are extremely disappointed with today's decision," McDonald's spokesman Danya Proud tells the Chronicle. "It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for."
But lawmakers are happy with the ordinance.
"We're part of a movement that is moving forward an agenda of food justice," Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure, tells the Times. "From San Francisco to New York City, the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country is making our kids sick, particularly kids from low income neighborhoods, at an alarming rate. It's a survival issue and a day-to-day issue."
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
11-03-2010 @ 2:33PM
Melissa Shaw Jones said...My kids are now teens, but they still talk about all our childhood field trips and what a big deal it was to get a happy meal and go to the park for an impromptu picnic by the train tracks.
I always felt bad accumulating all that "plastic junk" that must be made in China...but the kids loved them! I always rounded out a happy meal with real food and plenty of water! We still know how to be good mom's. I'm not putting McDonalds in charge of nutrition!
www.allamericanmom.org
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11-04-2010 @ 11:27AM
Gail Stepson said...I don't see how taking the kid's toy away is going to make them want apple slices over french fries. Seriously.
If you're looking for some fun, free, things for your kids be sure to check out Http://bit.ly/dailysample They have some great stuff. And everything actually really is free! And if your kids are into McDonalds, they may have fun playing the free Burger Tycoon game also on the site.
11-03-2010 @ 2:21PM
Lauren said...I think this law is ridiculous. Its not like the fact that there is a toy included is such a huge temptation that kids can't bare to stay away. They're not coming in droves and battering the door down in an effort to satisfy their craving like some pregnant woman (at least some of my cravings seemed that strong some times ;)
If parents are really bothered, then they simply won't take their kids to eat there.
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11-03-2010 @ 3:44PM
Sara said...No toys with school lunches then, they are far worse than kids meals
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11-03-2010 @ 3:20PM
dougalcandy said...I'm finding that the word "ban" is being used way too much lately, and frankly I find it scary. I live in NY, where we already have bans on transfats, too much salt, smoking in public places, and coming soon, bans on smoking in outdoor public places, and bans on food stamp recipients buying soda with their food stamps. It feels like little by little all or our freedoms/choices are being taken away on the assumption that we don't know what is best for us. And now parents don"t have the option of deciding what is best for their children to eat, and have lost the option of taking their child for a treat and a toy once in a while? What will be next--cakes banned at birthday parties, candy banned on Halloween? How about no more ice cream man, or no popcorn at the movies? Yes it does sound insane, but it really feels as if soon we will have no choices at all, the FOOD POLICE will be on the lookout!
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11-03-2010 @ 9:01PM
LMS said...Honestly, if you are on food stamps I think the government CAN and should tell you what you can/cannot buy with them. The government is giving you free/reduce priced food, they totally have the right to regulate what you can spend the money on.
11-04-2010 @ 1:56AM
john perry said...This is what you get in a democrat controlled city and state.
Obama would be proud.
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11-04-2010 @ 4:50PM
Alicia said...Oh no! What will children do without manufactured pieces of plastic crap they forget about in ten minutes?! This will only knock a fraction off McDonald's sales because, honestly, it's fast and easy and adults are addicted. Kids like McDonald's for the toys. Every place sells fries and chicken fingers, so in the end, most kids don't really care which restaurant they get them from. But McDonald's gave them toys, so it really is that big a draw (trust me, I remember it being the only reason I wanted to go to McDonald's, especially when they advertised the toys they were giving away on TV).
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11-05-2010 @ 10:46AM
MamaKat said...It isn't up to the legal system to regulate what kids eat... it is up to PARENTS. What next? will they outlaw buying butter in the grocery store because it's (gasp!) too high of a fat content?!?! If there are options to put the toy with whatever meal they want to it gives the freedom for parents to choose what to feed their children or not. Stop taking away our freedoms! It starts with something like this that "sounds" good to a few but eventually more and more freedoms get legislated away and before you know it you have no freedom at all.
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11-15-2010 @ 5:33PM
Annalise Richards said...I try to pack my kids lunch as much as possible and only use McDonald's as a reward for report cards, etc. I found some great recipes for dinner and lunch on Red Tricycle. my kids love their coconut mango pancakes!
redtri.com/san-francisco/food-and-dining
Bests,
Annalise
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