Jun
Toys in Happy Meals
Apparently a county in Silicon Valley (California, where else?!) has banned McDonald’s from including toys in their Happy Meals. They say that the toys contribute to kids being fat.
And now a “watchdog group” is threatening to sue the company unless they remove the toys from all their Happy Meals everywhere. They are saying the toys make kids fat.
Citing toys aimed at promoting the latest "Shrek" movie, the Center for Science in the Public Interest said that the plastic promotions lure children into McDonald’s restaurants where they are then likely to order food that is too high in calories, fat and salt.
This is unbelievable. Because moms and dads refuse to make their kids go outside and exercise and choose to eat fast food every night instead of cooking, now they want all toys removed from the kid’s meals.
"McDonald’s is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children," Stephen Gardner, litigation director for the advocacy group said in a statement. "McDonald’s use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental immaturity."
The toys are not the problems, but rather than have parents claim responsibility, let’s sue the big, bad corporate giant, McDonald’s. The company has even provided some better options, including apple slices instead of fries and mile or juice instead of pop. However, this is not good enough for the “watchdog group.”
A Happy Meal should be an occasional treat, but today’s parents have become lazy eat out much more than we did growing up. Here’s a tip, Mr. Gardner, parents can say “no” to their kids. That would take care of the toys “undercutting parental authority.” What a concept!
Opponents of toys in fast food meals say the promotions are feeding the nation’s obesity epidemic by making unhealthy food seem more desirable to children. But the food industry says that healthier choices are now available to children — and urges parents to take responsibility for what their kids order.
Amen, parents take responsibility!
