San Francisco trying to ban Happy Meals

[Tinkermommy]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/09/california.fast.food.ban/index.html?hpt=Sbin

I don't even have words for this!

 

[Geoff_M]

Talk about Nanny State run amok!!!

Memo to San Fran: Most kids actually could care less about the cheap toys in Happy Meals! In fact, in my family it's mostly the ADULTS that order Happy Meals because they want the "toy". This summer we had to go McD's hopping on the way to my parent's house because my Mom was collecting the Madam Alexander "Wizard of Oz" dolls!

 

[luvmy3]

Hey parents- stop giving in to your whining child every time the ask to get a happy meal because they want the toy. There problem solved, maybe I should have been Mayor

 

[LukenDC]

It is shortsighted and unfair to single out one company or product to blame for obesity. The obesity epidemic is caused by myriad factors, including our modern technologies that permit us to work more efficiently while burning far fewer calories.

I hope that McDonald's sues SF.

 

[C.Ann]

Here comes the "Twinkie Police"..

This is exactly what happens when people jump on the band wagon for every little thing that their particular group has issues with.. But when it hits home -and there's a threat of something they don't want fiddled with - then it's complete outrage..

And yes - I know it's about nutrition (which also includes obesity issues) - but where does it stop? How much control is too much control?

Direct result of tunnel vision.. People need to be careful what they wish for (or "insist" on) - because they just might get it - and more..

 

[taylor3297]

It is shortsighted and unfair to single out one company or product to blame for obesity. The obesity epidemic is caused by myriad factors, including our modern technologies that permit us to work more efficiently while burning far fewer calories.

I hope that McDonald's sues SF.

This is so true. I read about the guy who lost some weight ( about 24 pounds I think) on what he called a twinkie diet. For 2 months he ate nothing but twinkies and other junk food but kept his caloric intake to 1800 calories a day. Also, his bad cholestoral went down, the good went up.

 

[mhsjax]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/09/california.fast.food.ban/index.html?hpt=Sbin

I don't even have words for this!

Gotta love CA don't ya? I swear, does anything normal come out of there?

 

[diznygirl]

You can buy the toy without getting any food at all. Whatsoever.

But I live getting the Happy Meal. It makes me happy.

Stinkin' SanFran. You can't legislate every decision people make. That's insane.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

Just to look at it another way, why is it different than banning cigarette and liquor ads on network tv, or even establishing age restrictions for the purchase of tobacco and liquor? Or even the Mangini suit against RJ Reynolds Joe Camel ads supposedly targeting kids. The justification is that these things are bad for you, well, so are most fast food selections. What's the difference?

 

[mhsjax]

Just to look at it another way, why is it different than banning cigarette and liquor ads on network tv, or even establishing age restrictions for the purchase of tobacco and liquor? Or even the Mangini suit against RJ Reynolds Joe Camel ads supposedly targeting kids. The justification is that these things are bad for you, well, so are most fast food selections. What's the difference?

It is illegal for kids to smoke, it is illegal for kids to drink, Also liquor and tobacco are addictive, physically and psychologically. YOu seriously can't compare food to tobacco and liquor.

For the record, I don't buy happy meals for my kids. They rarely eat fast food, but sorry, no government is going to tell me what type of food I can or can not buy for my kid. That isn't their job.

I happen to think, (and so do a lot of people) that cows mile is horrible for you, maybe I can get enough people to believe this and we can finally ban that horrible liquid called milk. And no I an not being sarcastic, that stuff is terrible, yet I don't think I have the right to tell people that they can't drink it or give it to their kids. Really, where do you draw the line. Next the vegetarians will try and outlaw meat for kids. Is that ok too? (no offense if you are a vegetarian, that is your right)

 

[mjkacmom]

I think they should encourage happy meals - good portion control. Now, if they would only discourage extra value meals, and their 100 grams of fat!

 

[Geoff_M]

Just to look at it another way, why is it different than banning cigarette and liquor ads on network tv, or even establishing age restrictions for the purchase of tobacco and liquor? Or even the Mangini suit against RJ Reynolds Joe Camel ads supposedly targeting kids. The justification is that these things are bad for you, well, so are most fast food selections. What's the difference?

It's a fallacy to try and equate a McDonald's cheeseburger with a Marlboro. There's nothing inherently bad about eating fast food in moderation.

 

[LiberalPrincess]

It is illegal for kids to smoke, it is illegal for kids to drink, it isn't to buy a happy meal. YOu seriously can't compare food to tobacco and liquor.

For the record, I don't buy happy meals for my kids. They rarely eat fast food, but sorry, no government is going to tell me what type of food I can or can not buy for my kid. That isn't their job.

It is illegal for kids to smoke and drink in the US because of laws passed by legislators, it is not like it was in the Constitution (although Prohibition was added for a while which is interesting to add to this discussion). Again, what's the difference? Do you think that obesity is less of a problem than people dying of alcohol related diseases? The fact is, all of those things are bad for people. Yet, you are saying you have no issue with the laws about tobacco and liquor yet you do about food that is bad for you. That is your personal line, but they are absolutely comparable. Some people have a different line which is that obesity is such an issue that it is time to legislate solutions. Do I agree? Nope, but I don't see it as any different than Prohibition and the tobacco advertising rules.

 

[mnrose]

They did not ban the Happy Meal. It makes for a good headline, but it isn't what they did. Read the ordinance. Not the headline. If you want to feed your kid french fries and shakes three meals a day, 7 days a week, you are free to do so. What they did was say if you want to include a free toy (which is why MANY kids want the meal), then it must meet certain requirements for fat content, etc.

I see nothing wrong with this at all. It doesn't stop you from buying a happy meal...they ARE trying to disconnect the free toy from the food. So what?

 

[LiberalPrincess]

It's a fallacy to try and equate a McDonald's cheeseburger with a Marlboro. There's nothing inherently bad about eating fast food in moderation.

And there is nothing inherently wrong with alcohol in moderation. So, shall we start serving kids liquor at their 6th birthday party?

 

[mnrose]

And there is nothing inherently wrong with alcohol in moderation. So, shall we start serving kids liquor at their 6th birthday party?

Sure...might make it more entertaining.

 

[mhsjax]

It is illegal for kids to smoke and drink in the US because of laws passed by legislators, it is not like it was in the Constitution (although Prohibition was added for a while which is interesting to add to this discussion). Again, what's the difference? Do you think that obesity is less of a problem than people dying of alcohol related diseases? The fact is, all of those things are bad for people. Yet, you are saying you have no issue with the laws about tobacco and liquor yet you do about food that is bad for you. That is your personal line, but they are absolutely comparable. Some people have a different line which is that obesity is such an issue that it is time to legislate solutions. Do I agree? Nope, but I don't see it as any different than Prohibition and the tobacco advertising rules.

YOu don't need any tobacco or alcohol to survive, and true you don't need happy meals to survive, but you do need food. Ok, how about this, diabetes, maybe we should regulate sugar and hey how about carbs, because they are finding that too many carbs can cause diabetes, so everyone give up that cereal, truth is you don't need it, or that bread for your sandwiches, forget rice and pasta. Again, where do you stop? Oh and by the way those carbs are very much so contributing to being over weight. I guess we should ban those.

 

[HelenePA]

I dont even buy happy meals anymore.. I just buy the toys.. face it that's what the kids want.. right now they have crappy toys out.. I did get my son (2) an elepahant from bk he wanted for $1.05 last week when we went out for breakfast

 

[palmtreegirl]

That is completely ridiculous.

 

[HelenePA]

And there is nothing inherently wrong with alcohol in moderation. So, shall we start serving kids liquor at their 6th birthday party?

Only if hey share