Happy Meals, and other kids' meals that come packaged with a toy, could be banned in San Francisco under a new law that was proposed on Tuesday. The new legislation takes aim not only at Happy Meals but at all foods that contain too much fat, sugar, or salt. The news has both sides jostling to define whether the legislation is positive or negative, and whose right it is to decide dietary needs for children.Earlier this year, Santa Clara County became the first local government in the nation to adopt such a law, but it only applies to unincorporated areas and affects a handful of restaurants.The restrictions in San Francisco would apply to all restaurants but seemingly target the fast-food giants, among them McDonald's, Jack in the Box and Burger King."Our legislation will encourage restaurants that offer unhealthy meals marketed toward children and youth to offer healthier food options with incentive items or toys," said Supervisor Eric Mar, chief sponsor of the legislation."It will help protect the public's health, reduce costs to our health care system and promote healthier eating habits," he said.The legislation intends to break the link between toy rewards and unhealthy eating.The Healthy Meal Incentive legislation will set nutritional standards for meals that come with toys. The legislation intends to target childhood obesity and encourage healthy eating. Here is the official summary:Supervisor Mar introduces Healthy Meal Incentive legislation, which sets nutritional standards for restaurant food that is accompanied by toys or other youth focused incentive items. This legislation is aimed at promoting healthy eating habits and to address issues related to childhood obesity. Fast food restaurants target children and youth by offering toys and other incentive items. The Healthy Meal Incentive legislation would encourage restaurants to provide healthier meal options. To provide an incentive item, meals must contain fruits and vegetables, not exceed 600 calories or 200 calories for a single food item and must not have beverages that have excessive fat or sugar.The restaurant industry doesn't like the strategy."The San Francisco Board of Supervisors seems to have an insatiable appetite for punishing the restaurant industry. However, the widespread ridicule that this proposal will receive should give them a case of heartburn," said Daniel Conway, director of public affairs for the California Restaurant Association."Toy bans are only proven to disappoint kids, frustrate parents and generate headlines for ambitious politicians," Conway added. "The Board of Supervisors needs to stop gorging on political gimmicks and instead focus on creating jobs in their city."
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