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Taking The Happy Out Of A Happy Meal
Crazy, but it could happen.
San Francisco city officials are readying to ban most of McDonald's Happy Meals in current form because they offer toys to entice kids to buy meals not meeting nutritional criteria. If this is approved, it could force the entire franchise to put a stop to happy meals for the time being.
Under a proposal given preliminary approval this week, McDonald's and other restaurants would have until December 2011 to improve their meals' nutrition with fruits and vegetables -- if the chains want to keep offering Captain America figurines or toys tied with latest films.
The proposed ordinance is part of a "food justice movement" and is designed to address how restaurants giveaway toys to sell fast food whose nutritional content is being challenged.
McDonald's, Burger King and Subway have also been mentioned as second, third, and fourth to be handled. "It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for. Public opinion continues to be overwhelmingly against this misguided legislation," McDonald's spokesperson said in a statement. "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."
Basically, it would mean taking the Happy out of Happy Meal.
No toys. Is this a good decision? Clearly the first to initiate the ban [McDonalds] will lose customers. I myself buy my kids Happy Meals all the time, and while their choice is chicken nuggets, fries and a drink, at least they finish the whole meal. It's hard to get a 2, 4, or 6 year old to finish a meal, so that in itself is a good thing. And I love the toys; I always collect the whole group and save them in the plastic for when the kids are older - I say bad idea! What do you say?
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