San Fran Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys

[petegz28]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – San Francisco has become the first major U.S. city to pass a law that cracks down on the popular practice of giving away free toys with unhealthy restaurant meals for children.

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed the law on Tuesday on a veto-proof 8-to-3 vote. It takes effect on December 1.

The law, like an ordinance passed earlier this year in nearby Santa Clara County, would require that restaurant kids' meals meet certain nutritional standards before they could be sold with toys.

Opponents of the 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.

"We are extremely disappointed with today's decision. It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for," McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud said in a statement.

"Getting a toy with a kid's meal is just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald's," Proud said.

The San Francisco law would allow toys to be given away with kids' meals that have less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables, and include beverages without excessive fat or sugar.

Backers of the ordinance say it aims to promote healthy eating habits while combating childhood obesity.

"Our children are sick. Rates of obesity in San Francisco are disturbingly high, especially among children of color," said San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure.

"This is a challenge to the restaurant industry to think about children's health first and join the wide range of local restaurants that have already made this commitment," Mar said.

HAPPY MEALS IN THE HOT SEAT

Fifteen percent of American children are overweight or obese -- which puts them at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In some states, the childhood obesity rate is over 30 percent.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest this summer threatened to sue McDonald's if it did not stop using Happy Meal toys to lure children into its restaurants. A lawyer for that group said it is on track to file the lawsuit in the next several weeks.

McDonald's debuted the Happy Meal in the United States in 1979 with toys like the "McDoodler" stencil and the "McWrist" wallet. Modern offerings have included themed items from popular films like "Shrek" or sought-after toys like Transformers, Legos or miniature Ty Beanie Babies.

In 2006, the latest year for which data is available, fast-food companies led by McDonald's spent more than $520 million on advertising and toys to promote meals for children, according to a U.S. Federal Trade Commission report.

When the efforts of other food and beverage companies were included, promotional spending aimed at children topped $1.6 billion.

[petegz28]

sorry if repost

[Iowanian]

A toy in a Happy Meal is bad for kids in San Fran......but a parade with 1000 pair of assless chaps and dildo unicorn horns is Culture.



Here is an idea. A toy from McDonalds doesn't make your kid fat, unless your dumb, lazy ass is taking your child there often enough to fill a bucket a month.

[Extra Point]

First time I saw the article. SF seems to set a good standard here. Less lead in the bloodstream of kids, too, from all the cheap Chinese toys they give away.

[Bane]

Fuck'em.We don't eat there anyway.

[Bugeater]

Meh, the toys are all crap anyway, I don't ever recall my son having much interest in them when he was young. He was more interested in the PlayPlace thing, those will be the next thing to go.

[DJ's left nut]

Nuke the state. Just nuke the damn state.

[CoMoChief]

A toy in a Happy Meal is bad for kids in San Fran......but a parade with 1000 pair of assless chaps and dildo unicorn horns is Culture.



Here is an idea. A toy from McDonalds doesn't make your kid fat, unless your dumb, lazy ass is taking your child there often enough to fill a bucket a month.

NO.....shit man!!! SF is the most ass backwards place on this planet.

[gblowfish]

I'll have what Ronald is having...

[Sofa King]

Well, they've already tried getting rid of Ronald McDonald... guess this was just the next step...

[Fish]

Yeah... stupid lazy parents aren't offering their own children proper food to eat... so let's use the government to take toys away from the kids. That sounds like the perfect plan!

I'm sure all these fine parents will just start cooking their kids good meals now instead of shoving fast food at them...

[PunkinDrublic]

I'm actually for giving out tiny little toys that kids can potentially choke on. Anything that can get them to shut the fuck up in the movie theater is alright by me.

[Rain Man]

Meh, the toys are all crap anyway, I don't ever recall my son having much interest in them when he was young. He was more interested in the PlayPlace thing, those will be the next thing to go.

If they had an adult PlayPlace, I'd eat at McDonald's every day.

[Demonpenz]

the toy with a mcnugget driving a nascar was pretty the only one I remember from a kid and I was fat.

[Hydrae]

Meh, the toys are all crap anyway, I don't ever recall my son having much interest in them when he was young. He was more interested in the PlayPlace thing, those will be the next thing to go.

They won't take away the PlayPlace, that is the most exercise some of these kids get each day.

[JD10367]

For a city that prides itself on being in-your-face gay, leftist, liberal, etc.,., it's pretty fucking hypocritical of them to force a company into doing business how the city wants them to. I guess we should stop corner stores from selling candy, no? That's all sugar and bad for kids. How about Doritos; should we start carding, and only sell them to over-18? Pardon the unintended pun, but go fuck yourself, San Fran.

[LaChapelle]

Then take away the greasy box the meal came in
the streaks on minivan back windows from it being pushed like a car
or train is dangerous to us all

[blaise]

Thank God they're saving parents from the horrors of responsibility.

[Chiefs Rool]

A toy in a Happy Meal is bad for kids in San Fran......but a parade with 1000 pair of assless chaps and dildo unicorn horns is Culture.



Here is an idea. A toy from McDonalds doesn't make your kid fat, unless your dumb, lazy ass is taking your child there often enough to fill a bucket a month.

kids can be pretty powerful in choosing a restaurant though. McDonalds markets to kids strictly for that purpose.

[blaise]

kids can be pretty powerful in choosing a restaurant though. McDonalds markets to kids strictly for that purpose.

So do Nestle Quik, candy manufacturers, video game makers, potato chip companies and many other things that aren't good for kids.
What's worse for kids, TV and video games or a Happy Meal (that you can get with apples instead of french fries, by the way)
And it's laughable that it's thought parents are making any better nutritional choices at home.

[Chiefs Rool]

So do Nestle Quik, candy manufacturers, video game makers, potato chip companies and many other things that aren't good for kids.
What's worse for kids, TV and video games or a Happy Meal (that you can get with apples instead of french fries, by the way)
And it's laughable that it's thought parents are making any better nutritional choices at home.

my mom would take us out to McD's every once in a while. But pretty much everday she forced us to eat healthy. Nothing but cheerios and a fruit for breakfast and for dinner it was always baked meat, a steamed veggie and brown rice or something like that.

I do realize there are tons of bad parents out there though and don't care what their kids eat or do.

[jspchief]

The government will probably be paying for these kids' bypass surgery in 40 years, they might as well take a proactive approach.

[petegz28]

It just really boggles the mind on how they can legally do this? I don't expect this will stand long. No one forces people to go to McDonald's.

[thebrad84]

kids can be pretty powerful in choosing a restaurant though. McDonalds markets to kids strictly for that purpose.

So you tell your fatass son or daughter to shut up and if you don't like what you're having for dinner, then you aren't eating..

[blaise]

my mom would take us out to McD's every once in a while. But pretty much everday she forced us to eat healthy. Nothing but cheerios and a fruit for breakfast and for dinner it was always baked meat, a steamed veggie and brown rice or something like that.

I do realize there are tons of bad parents out there though and don't care what their kids eat or do.

That's my point though. The parents that just give kids Happy Meals all the time because of the toy aren't all of a sudden going to say, "hey, let's make better choices" because the toy isn't there. This isn't going to compel parents to become wiser, it's punishing a business for parental irresponsibility.
I don't get where the line is drawn. Should they outlaw Lucky Charms and Cookie Crisp? What about the little toys that contain candy on the bottom shelf of grocery stores? Those are placed there specifically because they're on a child's level. Does Chuck E Cheese serve healthy pizza? Have they compared the nutritional value of a Happy Meal to any other food product with a marketing tie-in directed toward children?

[petegz28]

So you tell your fatass son or daughter to shut up and if you don't like what you're having for dinner, then they aren't eating..

With very few exceptions, if I did not eat what was cooked for dinner I was not allowed in the kitchen the rest of the night. I was not allowed to skip dinner then pig out on junk food.

[blaise]

The government will probably be paying for these kids' bypass surgery in 40 years, they might as well take a proactive approach.

They should outlaw cigarette sales and soda pop sales for adults as well. Why not just outlaw McDonalds and save everyone?

[Rausch]

My home town just outlawed smoking in all PUH-BLIK places.

I could almost hear the bartenders 'round here lean back and scream like Vader in the last flick...

[Hydrae]

With very few exceptions, if I did not eat what was cooked for dinner I was not allowed in the kitchen the rest of the night. I was not allowed to skip dinner then pig out on junk food.

If I didn't clear my plate then I would get it served to me for breakfast the next day. And I love me some breakfast!

[petegz28]

That's my point though. The parents that just give kids Happy Meals all the time because of the toy aren't all of a sudden going to say, "hey, let's make better choices" because the toy isn't there. This isn't going to compel parents to become wiser, it's punishing a business for parental irresponsibility.
I don't get where the line is drawn. Should they outlaw Lucky Charms and Cookie Crisp? What about the little toys that contain candy on the bottom shelf of grocery stores? Those are placed there specifically because they're on a child's level. Does Chuck E Cheese serve healthy pizza? Have they compared the nutritional value of a Happy Meal to any other food product with a marketing tie-in directed toward children?

The Bay area has been in a war with McDondald's for some years now. I remember about 5 years ago or so they were screaming that Mcdonald's MUST offer healthier choices to their menu. That thinking is so bad. I forget who he was as he is gone now, but some local KC talking head during all that felt like the grocery stores should HAVE to carry more choices than they already do.

What it comes down too is this is a diseased way of thinking. People think McDonald's MUST serve them what they want or it should be made illegal to not do so. This is a serious mental problem as it all is based on the fact that you cannot control yourself or your kids and go to Mcdonald's even though you don't like what they serve.

Typical Left Coast, liberal BS.

[thebrad84]

With very few exceptions, if I did not eat what was cooked for dinner I was not allowed in the kitchen the rest of the night. I was not allowed to skip dinner then pig out on junk food.

Exactly. It's not really that hard to keep your 3 to 12 year old kid from going to McDonalds and force him to eat healthy, home cooked meals if that is what you want as a parent.

[Rausch]

If I didn't clear my plate then I would get it served to me for breakfast the next day. And I love me some breakfast!

I'll never eat watermelon flavored anything again.

I begged and begged to get some watermelon flavored gum and once I did get it I couldn't stand it.

"You'll chew every piece for 2 hours before you eat again."

To this day I don't impulse buy...

[thebrad84]

If I didn't clear my plate then I would get it served to me for breakfast the next day. And I love me some breakfast!

That's a great idea...amazing how responsible parents can come up with clever ways to influence the choices children make.

[blaise]

I honestly think a kid could eat two Happy Meals a week and not get fat if the kid went outside and ran and played like kids should.

[petegz28]

I honestly think a kid could eat two Happy Meals a week and not get fat if the kid went outside and ran and played like kids should.

Word

[Rausch]

I honestly think a kid could eat two Happy Meals a week and not get fat if the kid went outside and ran and played like kids should.

Wait, who's going to make them do-.....oooooOOOOOOOOH...

[Chiefs Rool]

if I ever have kids, I'm gonna use factual scare tactics.

You want McDonalds? Well you will get fat and everybody at school will make fun of you all day long!

You want McDonalds? Fries cause CANCER!!!

You want McDonalds? Those are minimum wage employees handling your food and they most likely don't wash their hands EVER!

[eazyb81]

"Our children are sick. Rates of obesity in San Francisco are disturbingly high, especially among children of color," said San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure.



What an odd statement.

Do "children of color" need extra help from the government to not get fat?

Would Eric Mar call it out if the obesity of white children was especially high?

[Donger]

I think this is great. In today's crazy world, parents are too busy to protect their kids from eating junk food. What does a little help from government hurt?

[Frosty]

kids can be pretty powerful in choosing a restaurant though. McDonalds markets to kids strictly for that purpose.

Only to spineless parents that give in to their kids' whining.

[Rausch]

if I ever have kids, I'm gonna use factual scare tactics.

You want McDonalds? Well you will get fat and everybody at school will make fun of you all day long!

You want McDonalds? Fries cause CANCER!!!

You want McDonalds? Those are minimum wage employees handling your food and they most likely don't wash their hands EVER!

Sounds like my sister-n-law.

My nephew is born to the ways of teh Kraut and is already saying "nein!" to crap-tasting health food and feel-g00d Mom's psychobabble diet of non-meat.

He makes me so proud...:crybaby:

[The Franchise]

Way to go San Francisco. :facepalm:

Nuke the state. Just nuke the damn state.

Can you give me a day to clear out my house first?

[Rausch]

Can you give me a day to clear out my house first?

Ok, Pack...

[Bob Dole]

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest this summer threatened to sue McDonald's if it did not stop using Happy Meal toys to lure children into its restaurants."

They've been very effective in luring those wandering bands of unsupervised children with pockets full of money for far too long!!

[Rooster]

So you tell your fatass son or daughter to shut up and if you don't like what you're having for dinner, then you aren't eating..

Exactly. They are the parent not the friend of these kids. Too many parents want to be a friend and not do there jobs. Raise your damn kids.

[listopencil]

I get fast food for my kids so infrequently that they look forward to a visit to Subway. My 13 year old son was especially proud of the fact that he worked himself up to putting every topping on his sandwiches last Summer.

[listopencil]

Actually I'm kind of impressed with him as well, now that I think about it. How many 11/12 year olds would ask for raw spinach leaves to be added to their food?

[loochy]

How about we tax every parent a ceratin amount per pound that their child is overweight?

[mlyonsd]

When my wife worked at my son's school helping special-ed kids she always bought happy meals when we were at McDonald's to eat, keeping the toys and later handing them out for students as accomplishments.

Why does SF hate kids?

[KCUnited]

Book It made me obese, but I could read on an advanced level.

[007]

Holy Christ!!! Some dumbass city went and did this? I had heard somebody in New York was trying to get the same thing done. What dumbasses.

[007]

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest this summer threatened to sue McDonald's if it did not stop using Happy Meal toys to lure children into its restaurants."

They've been very effective in luring those wandering bands of unsupervised children with pockets full of money for far too long!!

The luring children line kills me.

[007]

****'em.We don't eat there anyway.Steve Bono would be proud.

[Frosty]

The luring children line kills me.

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[thebrad84]

How about we tax every parent a ceratin amount per pound that their child is overweight?

In most cases, all you would have to do is forfeit a certain amount of their disability checks until their children make a certain fitness level requirement. No special tax needed. Nothing will motivate the fat and lazy quite like taking their guberment checks from them.

[Inspector]

Ewww...Our subordinates we hire to operate the functions of government are attempting to tell the boss what to do? That seems...I dunno...kinda weird.

Wonder what the people in free countries that are run by the people and for the people think about stuff like this. I bet they wouldn't stand for it. Or maybe they would. Who knows?

[Bane]

Steve Bono would be proud.

Sorry dude,the place absolutely stinks to me.I can't stand being inside the joint for anything.Then as expensive as shit is getting I'd much rather go to a nice "sit down" place where at least you can stand the smell while you eat.Oh yeah and about the only goddamn thing you can order at the drive thru that they dont fuck up is a soda.So yeah,fuck'em.

[notorious]

I will never slam a city or state for voting to do something that the majority wants.

People can move if they don't like it.

Do it at the Federal level, though, and I have major problems.......




San Fran can go fuck itself until the big one takes them down into the Pacific. Beautiful city, screwed up culture IMO.

[BWillie]

In Nazi California, chinese mcdonald toy eat youuuuuuu