McDonalds Happy Meal ban just got bigger

[loaslaen]

Couldn't find the old thread about this, but it was about Santa Clara County banning happy meals, or more specifically, banning the sale of kid's toys in unhealthy kid's meals. Now San Francisco has become the first major US city to ban kid's toys sold with low nutritional meals. The law goes into effect December 1.

Law curbs McDonald's Happy Meal toys - Yahoo! News

[CW&M Mom]

who decides what is low nutrition? McDonalds isn't the best...but I wouldn't consider there Hamburger or Cheeseburger to not have nutrition in it...in fact it been for 2 of my kids...there first and best experience with hamburger until they got a bit older...because it's easier to chew.

If you get the apple dippers instead of the fries...then is it nutritional?

[loaslaen]

As I wrote in the previous thread, this infringes on the business' right to promote whatever product they want to. It also puts government into stepping into the shoes of the parents. Every kid in San Francisco should not be punished just because of the obese kids. McDonald's and other restaurants shouldn't be punished because they sell a type of food that is higher in calories and less nutritional than other restaurants either.

A city is really messed up when they say, "pot ok, kids toys not ok".

[loaslaen]

who decides what is low nutrition?

From the article:
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.

Here's the break down in calories for Happy Meals:

Cheeseburger
Small French Fries
1% Low Fat White Milk Jug (8 fl oz)
640 cal

Cheeseburger
Small French Fries
1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz)
700 cal

Cheeseburger
Small French Fries
Apple Juice Box (6.75 fl oz)
630 cal

Cheeseburger
Small French Fries
Sprite® (12 fl oz cup)*
640 cal

Cheeseburger
Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip
1% Low Fat White Milk Jug (8 fl oz)
500 cal

Cheeseburger
Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip
1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz)
560 cal

Cheeseburger
Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip
Apple Juice Box (6.75 fl oz)
490 cal

Cheeseburger
Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip
Sprite® (12 fl oz cup)*
500 cal

[faeryedark]

It's a stupid law, sorry. And, couldn't McDonald's circumvent the law by offering the toy for an additional 25 cents with the purchase of a happy meal?

[derketchup]

As I wrote in the previous thread, this infringes on the business' right to promote whatever product they want to.

So let's allow alcohol companies and tobacco companies their "rights" to advertise to children again. It's ridiculous that they can't reach such a fertile customer base.

[whatsfree4me]

How many parents make hamburgers for their kids at home? It's the same difference...probably even worse because the burger is probably at least twice as big.

[jen276here]

How many parents make hamburgers for their kids at home? It's the same difference...probably even worse because the burger is probably at least twice as big.

lol - you really have to eat one of my burgers! They are enormous!!! like 6 of those little McD patties at least!

I think it is a load of phooey. The government needs to back off. This now, but whats to come in the future…...

[lmcconne]

So, because I like fries with my burger and relish a soda to round out the combination, I can't have my toy! A Pox On Them!

Seriously, I actually do eat the Happy Meals at McD and collect the toys to give to relatives. So I am actually providing a very valuable service by eating the junky (less nutritious food) so they are protected from such evils.

[Smee]

So let's allow alcohol companies and tobacco companies their "rights" to advertise to children again. It's ridiculous that they can't reach such a fertile customer base.

This is kind of what I was thinking. I don't find it any more an infringement of rights than disallowing liquor stores, strip clubs or adult novelty stores to put up signs (or even have a business) near churches or schools, or supporting efforts to keep network tv "clean," even for just a specific time period aka family hour, or outlawing liquor sales on Sunday.