San Francisco’s city Board of Supervisors overrode Mayor Newsom’s veto, making the Happy Meal ban official.
McDonald’s fought hard and even went so far as to make some outrageous claims to sway public opinion, but in the end the Board of Supervisors overrode the veto 8 to 3.
The ban’s supporters say that Happy Meals and marketing schemes like it prey on kids by offering toys. In fact, the ban doesn’t really even outlaw Happy Meals – just the toy. Here are some specifics from the ban’s official summary:
To provide an incentive item, meals must contain fruits and vegetables, not exceed 600 calories or 200 calories for a single food item and must not have beverages that have excessive fat or sugar.
Opponents argue that this is yet another nanny law and that the government should leave kids’ food choices up to parents.
What do you think?
[Via: EcoLocalizer.]
Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by loop_oh
Becky Striepe
Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe, a green crafter and vegan foodie living in Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and two cats. My mission is to make eco-friendly crafts and vegan food accessible to anyone who wants to give them a go.
42 Responses to Happy Meal Ban in San Francisco is Official
Connect and Explore!
Proud Sponsor!
[...] has fought several battles recently over the Happy Meal. San Francisco successfully banned toy incentives from any meal if the food and drink together have more than 600 calories and have more than 35% of [...]
[...] attempts to limit junk food marketing to kids, while successful, have been piecemeal and only apply to a city at a [...]
i think that law is a good idea because i was doing a research on child obesity and i didnt know it was that bad. Many kids like to go to McD just because they have a toy then they get ustu to it and wanna go more and more then when they grow older they might now want a toy then but they would want the food. And the problem is not just getting fat but some toys have small pieces and kids eat them and then it brings more trouble. I might not know a lot cuz im still in high school but i do know what i believe in.
First of all I really think it is a dumb thing to do! I have a son and he has eaten a happy meal only once in his life. I explained to him the difference between a “fast food meal” and a balanced home cooked meal and it’s pros and cons. He’s now 20 and has never gone back to Mc Donalds because it taste oily! I can’t comment on other people because some people has to work and they don’t have the time or luxury to provide their kids that way. You can’t stop people from giving you freebies or discounts just to buy their product! It’s our responsiblity and our right! What happened to freedom of choice? Next they will want to stop supermarkets from selling chocolates, ice cream, and meat with fat in it! So what next!
Although I am all for eating healthy, I do not agree with this ban. Instead of holding parents responsible and educating parents, we simply ban. This is not teaching anyone anything. This is not improving our ignorance, but simply eliminating freedom of choice.
If Americans quite buying and eating unhealthy food, it would not be made. It is simple supply and demand. We need to change the way Americans think and live to really change the food market. Reactive legislation including banning are not solutions.
Yes, children’s diets should be parental responsibility. But if parents aren’t exercising their responsibility in a responsible manner then help is needed. In a country where many adults choose fast food as their way of eating, and childhood obesity is rising to an alarming level, maybe the people of the country need some help. That’s how I see this “ban”.
It’s all very well for parents who prepare good meals for the children to say this is nonsense.
But they are able to be responsible, they have learned how to cook.
There’s a huge population out there that doesn’t have that knowledge or ability, and they and their children need all the help they can get.
So I was chopping some cabbage for cole slaw when the six year old came up and asked for some raw, undressed cabbage to snack on.
San Francisco can kiss my ass.
I am sick of people blaming fast food places for their kids being fat. Last time I checked it was the parents responibility to control what their kids eat. I bet if those kids got off their butts and went out and played outside instead of playing video games all day they’d burn off some of that fat. Parents should star…t taking care of their kids and stop laying blame on big corporations for their laziness.
If the free market demanded it, there would be a place to drive through and get a Tahini sandwich on 9 grain bread, and a “Play Place” with giveway toys made from hemp. Of course, every Garden Whopper would cost $18 and the toys would have to be given back for recycling at the feeding period.
I’m not sure I fully agree here. The supply and demand bit holds water, but the rest just sounds like a little resentment toward folks trying to make a difference. There are fast food places now that have veggie burgers, and there are plenty of sit down vegetarian and vegan places where the food is very reasonably priced. Loving Hut is a great example.
As for the toy, I’d love to see kids getting toys made from healthy materials like hemp or organic cotton rather than plastics loaded with things like BPA and phthalates.
Ya know, that armed food raid at Rawesome was people “just trying to make a difference”
Please tell us how this is any different a form of fascism as that sad affair.
Interesting point, and I definitely see where you’re coming from, Vines N Cattle. I always appreciate your perspective.
My comment was more directed at the dig at hemp toys and veggie burgers. I know that John was just being snarky, but I’d rather see kids playing with safe toys made from sustainable, healthy materials like the one he describes in his comment.
I don’t agree that a veggie burger or other healthier meal would necessarily cost $18, with or without tahini and a hemp toy, though.
This is BS! SHAME on you San Francisco! Parents, don’t let the gov. tell you how to feed your kids. Stop letting them take away your parental rights and stop letting them tell you what to buy and not buy and stop sticking their nose in the practice of private businesses! The clowns who passed this law should be voted out!