Well, we might have finally hit the tipping point. Recently the San Francisco’s board of supervisors voted to ban most of McDonald’s Happy Meals served in their region’s restaurants. According to the Los Angeles Times, “The measure will make San Francisco the first major city in the country to forbid restaurants from offering a free toy with meals that contain more than set levels of calories, sugar and fat”. “We’re part of a movement that is moving forward an agenda of food justice,” said Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure.
Folks…you just can’t make this stuff up!
The article continues, “Over the last few weeks, the proposed ban caused a stir online and on cable television, with supporters arguing that it would help protect children from obesity.”
Really? I guess in San Francisco, parents are no longer responsible for their children’s health. Thank goodness the San Francisco board of supervisors are around. I can’t wait for their exercise video to come out.
So if you find that it is hard to say “no” to your children, move to San Francisco, California. Their board of supervisors will be glad to help you out.
And, not only was the Happy Meal affected, but Ronald McDonald was replaced with a bunch of clowns in the San Francisco local government.
I think what they did was crazy! Parents are still going to feed their children McDonald’s or other fast food items because it’s convienant, not because they offer toys. I’m sure that other states/cities will also follow suite. We’ll have to watch and wait.
You left out the part about the parents still being able to order the cheeseburger, french fries and coke that would have been in the happy meal which, of course, still remain on the menu!
I’m sure that all of those zero fat supervisors have children with zero body fat, as do their parents and siblings, too.
Perfectly said, Pat!
Another fine example of how our government ‘needs’ to step in and make decisions for us since they believe we cannot do it ourselves! UNBELIEVABLE!
P.S. what in the world is “food justice” anyway?
Perhaps the saddest part of this story is that the law likely will have little or no effect on the very serious problem of childhood obesity. Any parent knows the power of reverse psychology. If you tell someone they can’t have something, they want it all the more. Instead of attacking McDonald’s, I would rather see the city work WITH McDonald’s, other employers and educators to promote consumer education, youth fitness programs, employee wellness programs etc.—in other words, a little more carrot and a little less stick.