Ian WhiteSan Francisco Bans the Happy Meal
January 6th 2011 23:15
Category: No Category
Looks like somebody read my childhood obesity and fast food rant.
San Francisco has banned the Happy Meal, on the day of the return of the McRib no less. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors earlier today passed an ordinance requiring meals that included toys with their purchase to meet specific nutritional guidelines. The vote, achieved with a Gavin Newsom veto-proof majority of 8-3, effectively bans the Happy Meal.
Joe Eskenazi at the San Francisco Weekly reports:
​It seems the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has accomplished what the Hamburglar never could. They've made off with McDonald's fare.
The supes today passed an ordinance that will require meals to meet nutritional guidelines if restaurants wish to include a toy with the food purchase.
More importantly, the supes passed the so-called "Happy Meal Ban" by an 8-3 vote -- meaning it can survive a promised veto from Mayor Gavin Newsom. That's right: San Francisco done banned the Happy Meal. Robble robble.
The AP reports:
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- For some veggies-hating children, Happy Meals won't be so happy anymore.
San Francisco lawmakers approved legislation Tuesday that would limit toy giveaways in children's meals that have excessive calories, sodium and fat. It also requires servings of fruits or vegetables with each meal.
The city's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the ordinance, which they hope will force fast-food chains such as McDonald's to make their children's meals healthier or stop selling them with toys.
The measure drew enough support to overcome an expected veto by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Supervisors say the law would make San Francisco the first major city to take this action to combat childhood obesity.
McDonald's has said the law threatens business and restricts parents' ability to make choices for their children.
source
What do you think? Government overreach?
Regardless this had to be done. If fast food is going to be ubiquitous then they need to be responsible, especially if they're marketing to kids. I personally would rather these companies do it themselves, but apparently expecting a corporation to do the right thing is like expecting a dog to only use the bathroom toilet. I wonder if this will set a precedent? Could we see even harsher restrictions? Will these companies take the initiative and stop poisoning people? Will people stop being fat slobs? Probably not.
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Comment by nightlydvdreview
Nightly DVD Review
Cinema Voyage
Green and Healthy
The Writer's Nook
If a parent can't tell their kid "no" about a happy meal because they don't think it's healthy enough, then they have more problems than whether or not the meal has a toy in it.
It's ok though. McDonalds can still SELL the toy without the meal. (And they will, as they do everywhere else.)
The problem with the whole situation is that government should not dictate what people can or cannot put into their bodies.
For example: I am against smoking. I fully dislike it and am an ex-smoker myself. I wish it would go away. However, it is a LEGAL substance, and, based on age, people are allowed to buy the product, much like alcohol.
There are, however, places in this country where the government is attempting to tell people who live in subsidized housing that they are not allowed to smoke there. I disagree, even though I am also against LONG TERM subsidized housing. The government has no place in our homes, in our stomachs, or in our children's stomachs. That is the domain of the individual and the parent.
Mark my words on this: sooner or later, if we keep giving over our civil liberties to those in power, we will have none left. They will continue to know "what is best for us" and freedom of choice will be twisted and warped.
Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those who give up freedom for security deserve neither security nor freedom." (Paraphrased)
I totally agree.
Comment by Ian White
A Cynic's-Eye-View
Amuse I
Collective Wit
Daily Wit
Comment by Irene
Grammar Matters
Interrobang
That might be the rub, though. Parents must be informed to make good choices.
If kids are really that hung up on the toys, then just buy them the toys and not the accompanying fats, salt, and sugar. (Or, if the last thing the kid really needs is another bit of made-in-China plastic they'll play with for a week before it goes to the landfill--say no to it altogether.)
Sure, the corporation must be responsible (insofar as a fast-food 'restaurant' can claim to be 'responsible'), but parents have a far greater onus. We do our kids far more good by denying them things, being firm with them, and setting limits than by catering to their whims.