San Francisco bans toys from McDonald’s Happy Meals

SAN FRANCISCO - City officials in San Francisco have voted to ban restaurants from including free toys in unhealthy meals, a tactic that has lured many a toddler to the fat-rich delights of a McDonald’s Happy Meal.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle Wednesday, the city’s Board of Supervisors approved legislation that would allow child-friendly gifts only in meals with reduced sodium, fat and sugar content, and which include fruits and vegetables.

“This is a tremendous victory for our children’s health,” said Supervisor Eric Mar, after the 8-3 vote.

McDonald’s had taken the lead in fighting the proposal and one of its local restaurant owners blasted the decision. “Somehow the San Francisco Board of Supervisors just took the happy out of Happy Meals,” said Scott Rodrick, who predicted that families would now go to neighbouring cities to get their Happy Meals.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom must still approve the new law, which allows restaurants to give away a free toy or other incentive item only if the meal contains less than 600 calories, has less than 640 milligrams of sodium and if less than 35 percent of the calories are derived from fat, except for fat contained in nuts, seeds, eggs or low-fat cheese.

Meals must also contain a half-cup or more of fruit and three-quarters of a cup or more of vegetables.

In beverages, less than 35 percent of the total calories can come from fat, and less than 10 percent from added sweeteners.