Happy Meals banned in San Francisco
By: Becca French
Published: Nov. 18, 2010
Those beloved toys we all pulled from our McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes to see who got the coolest My Little Pony, Star Wars figure, or Ferby might be slowly disappearing from our dinner tables.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance earlier this month banning restaurants from including free “incentives” in meals containing high amounts of calories, fat and sugar, according to the legislation. Incentives can include “any toy, game trading card, admission ticket or other consumer product … with particular appeal to children and teens.”
These “not so happy meals” are required to meet a checklist of nutritional requirements. According to gizmodo.com, these meals “can’t exceed 600 calories; less than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat; it’s required to have a half cup of vegetables; breakfast meals are required to have a half cup of fruit; and it must meet sodium and multigrain requirements.”
The ordinance, scheduled to take effect in December 2011, is part of an effort to reduce childhood obesity, specifically in low-income neighborhoods.
“Obesity, overweight and unhealthy eating habits pose a serious risk to the health and welfare of San Francisco’s children and adolescents,” the legislation stated.
Barbara Troy, a nutritionist in Marquette’s College of Nursing, said she believes consumer pressure is working to bring about healthier fast food options.
“Parents have to be in control here, by reviewing the nutrition info available about any food,” Troy said. “We need a real emphasis towards consumer education. Many kids meals can included healthier options.”
With the board passing the measure by an 8-3 vote, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom no longer has the ability to veto the ban. However, restaurants are still allowed to include a toy with the meal if the food and beverage meet the set standards.
“I tend to agree that foods with excessive saturated/trans fat, sodium and calories should be greatly limited for kids, and definitely not encouraged (with toys),” Troy said. “Our kids are heavier than ever before, which sets them up for earlier onset of heart disease and diabetes.”
While McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants do provide healthier menu options, many are predicted to continue to include toys, but charge a separate fee, or adjust the meals so they comply with the newly set restrictions.
“Some cities, like New York and Oklahoma City, have city wide legislation that forces restaurants to reveal their nutrient content,” Troy said.
Some former (and current) Happy Meal consumers are less than pleased with a blow to one of the hallmarks of their childhood.
“Its an American pastime. How can you get rid of a Happy Meal?” said Doug Layer, a junior in the College of Health Sciences. “McDonald’s is an American institution, and they can’t get rid of something core to their sales.”
Published: Nov. 18, 2010
Those beloved toys we all pulled from our McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes to see who got the coolest My Little Pony, Star Wars figure, or Ferby might be slowly disappearing from our dinner tables.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance earlier this month banning restaurants from including free “incentives” in meals containing high amounts of calories, fat and sugar, according to the legislation. Incentives can include “any toy, game trading card, admission ticket or other consumer product … with particular appeal to children and teens.”
These “not so happy meals” are required to meet a checklist of nutritional requirements. According to gizmodo.com, these meals “can’t exceed 600 calories; less than 35 percent of the calories can come from fat; it’s required to have a half cup of vegetables; breakfast meals are required to have a half cup of fruit; and it must meet sodium and multigrain requirements.”
The ordinance, scheduled to take effect in December 2011, is part of an effort to reduce childhood obesity, specifically in low-income neighborhoods.
“Obesity, overweight and unhealthy eating habits pose a serious risk to the health and welfare of San Francisco’s children and adolescents,” the legislation stated.
Barbara Troy, a nutritionist in Marquette’s College of Nursing, said she believes consumer pressure is working to bring about healthier fast food options.
“Parents have to be in control here, by reviewing the nutrition info available about any food,” Troy said. “We need a real emphasis towards consumer education. Many kids meals can included healthier options.”
With the board passing the measure by an 8-3 vote, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom no longer has the ability to veto the ban. However, restaurants are still allowed to include a toy with the meal if the food and beverage meet the set standards.
“I tend to agree that foods with excessive saturated/trans fat, sodium and calories should be greatly limited for kids, and definitely not encouraged (with toys),” Troy said. “Our kids are heavier than ever before, which sets them up for earlier onset of heart disease and diabetes.”
While McDonald’s and other fast food restaurants do provide healthier menu options, many are predicted to continue to include toys, but charge a separate fee, or adjust the meals so they comply with the newly set restrictions.
“Some cities, like New York and Oklahoma City, have city wide legislation that forces restaurants to reveal their nutrient content,” Troy said.
Some former (and current) Happy Meal consumers are less than pleased with a blow to one of the hallmarks of their childhood.
“Its an American pastime. How can you get rid of a Happy Meal?” said Doug Layer, a junior in the College of Health Sciences. “McDonald’s is an American institution, and they can’t get rid of something core to their sales.”