If you want to buy a Happy Meal in San Francisco, you better include some fruit or veggies along with the toy. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed on ordinance to require more nutritious meals when a toy is tossed into the bag. On a 8-3 vote, which will counter a mayoral veto of the ordinance, the new rules will cut down on calories.
In a recent article it also states that:
“We’re part of a movement that is moving forward an agenda of food justice,” said Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure. “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.”
Just after the vote, McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud said, “We are extremely disappointed with today’s decision. It’s not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for.”
Proud, the McDonald’s spokeswoman, said the city was out of step with the mainstream on the issue.
“Public opinion continues to be overwhelmingly against this misguided legislation,” she said. “Parents tell us it’s their right and responsibility — not the government’s — to make their own decisions and to choose what’s right for their children.”
The vote was held the same day that McDonald’s reintroduced nationwide its McRib sandwich, a pressed pork patty that gets half its calories from fat and has a cult-like legion of fans.
It is ironic that this ordinance goes into effect, after voters seemed to indicate they want less governmental intrusion into their life. People know the hazards that could pose a health risk for their children. So it would seem that parents are not smart enough to handle nutritional information and need a government agency to tell them what is best for their kids.
It is also silly to think that those who wish to consume a Happy Meal can not do so by driving outside of Sam Francisco and devouring a caloric monster, with included toy. Those fast food chains in San Francisco will suffer and in turn generate less sales tax revenue for the city.
Comments welcome.
I thought Schwarzenegger had an after school fitness program for kids. What are they talking about.
Imagine they make some arrests for giving out toys to children – in McDonald’s.
Geez!
I think the after school program in CA. is held at the McDonald’s kids area out front of the restaurant!
Ha Ha!
Where’s that picture of Arnie at McDonald’s?
I’m likely not qualified to comment on the issue because I don’t have any kids (I’m not an old dude). My belief however, is that feeding that swill to children borders on child abuse. You can bet your glutes that Arnold never ate that rubbish as child.
Legislating things like this are what gives the Democrats a bad name.
It’s called freedom, and I wouldn’t be surprised if McDonalds took it to court. I hope they do and get a large settlement.
That said, I won’t be darkening their doors for various other reasons, much as I like the french fries!
Hi Marc,
Jackie and I rarely go to fast food joints. But when we do, we get the fries from McDonald and the Whopper from Burger King.
I am a crew trainer at McDonalds, I completely agree with regulating the Happy Meals. Even today (and I’m dead serious) I overheard a kid say that the toy was the only reason they came to McDonalds. McDonalds (in my opioin) should be outlawed becouse they spend all there money on advertising and very little on employees.
Hi Daniel,
I hear you. This is how corporations reap huge profits. The workers get screwed.
Oh no, they’re taking away our crappy toys that we didn’t want and immediately cause pollution!
Yeah, because parents just *love* those. They ask for them all the time at competitors. Or something. When parents have a way to do something like this in a way better than their elected democracy, let us know.