San Francisco Moves to Ban Toys From Innutritious Fast Food Kids' Meals

(Aug. 13) -- San Francisco is going to war against the Happy Meal. Newly proposed legislation in the progressive city would ban toys from kids meals sold at fast-food chains unless they met nutritional standards.

Reports USA Today (hat tip Gawker):

Kids meals rank among fast food's big sales catalysts. Although kids meal sales are declining -- because budget-minded parents sometimes opt for dollar menu items instead -- the industry sold about $5.5 billion worth last year, researcher NPD Group reports.

Nothing gets kids more excited about eating out than a kids meal with a toy. That's what 36 percent of kids under age 6 say they like best about eating out, NPD reports. That compares with 16 percent who like the food best.

McDonald's and Burger King declined to comment to USA Today, but when the Center for Science in the Public Interest threatened McDonald's with a lawsuit over their Happy Meals last month, CEO Jim Skinner defended the kids-targeting practice. In a letter, Skinner wrote:

At McDonald's, we listen to what our customers tell us. For the past 30 years they have told us -- again, overwhelmingly -- that they approve of our Happy Meal program. Three decades provide a lot of listening time. That's why we are confident that parents understand and appreciate that Happy Meals are a fun treat, with right-sized, quality food choices for their children.

Healthy-eating advocates say that McDonald's wouldn't have to do much to conform with the proposed San Francisco regulation's requirements -- the company could simply reduce the portion of fries, replacing them with nonprocessed fruits or vegetables.

Read more at USA Today.