In the last several years, there's been a significant backlash from the government and public over ultra fatty and other less-than-healthy offerings from the food industry. There's been a push for greater clarity over what we're actually putting into our bodies. Hence, the laws requiring calorie counts to be posted. The growing awareness of the obesity epidemic in our country has also led to laws that reduce the sodium content in our foods.
Obviously, the food industry (especially fast food) isn't going to take all of this lying down. KFC's new Double Down burger has turned into one of their most successful product launches in years. Burger King is pushing out its new Fire Grilled Ribs this week in select markets. And so, in deference to proper political protocol (yay, alliteration), certain pockets of our country are pushing back... hard.
Santa Clara County, CA recently passed a law banning any toys or promotional items that are bundled together with high caloric kiddie meals. Meaning... yes, no more toys in Happy Meals. And really, that makes me (and a lot of kids) unhappy. I understand the lawmakers' intent: do away with the toys that attract kids to eat unhealthily as a means to make them form better eating habits. But I'm quite skeptical as to the actual effect of this ordinance.
It's the parents that are usually purchasing the meals for the kids. And more often than not, it's not for the toys... it's for the convenience of fast food or the smaller portion sizes of the kiddie meals. The toys just happen to be a bonus, a welcome distraction for the kids.
The last time I was traveling, I saw an obviously stressed out couple with their 3 kids (ages approx. 5, 3, and 1ish). They had packed fruit snacks ahead of time and some formula for the baby but when the kids started screaming (as kids do when they're tired and cranky), the dad rushed over the McDonald's to pick up a couple Happy Meals. The kids settled down after they feasted on chicken nuggets and got new toys. Even the baby got in on the action, as the mom broke down fries to feed to her.
Now, that isn't something that I would personally choose to do. My parents allowed us fast food only as a treat maybe once in 6 months. But I understand why some parents would serve up this stuff to their kids more often. Ultimately, it's the parents who are paying the bills and choosing what to give their children to eat. Do we really need to punish the kids (by taking away their Happy Meal toys) for choices that they can't really control?
No more Star Wars Happy Meal toys! :(
What do you think of this matter? Do you think that the lawmakers were right in banning toys in high caloric kids' meals and why? Do you think there's a better way of introducing healthier eating habits to children?
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Comments (89)
Psh, screw them being for kids. xD I'm 21 and when I'm starving and on the road, I'll normally get a happy meal instead of a regular sized one.
Also, the toys recently have friggin SUCKED. D:
I don't think this is punishing kids, its helping kids lead healthy fulfilling lives... this is the first generation that is said to live shorter lives than their parents and sometime needs to be done (esp. since high medical bills and unhealthy americans effect our economy, our new healthcare system, and lawmaking in general).
There is a great video by Peter Jennings on how the food industry skips the parents and caters to kids by way of toys, commercials, and other kids-centered things. Children can't make the decision for themselves what they should and should be eating so when the food industry starts to market their unhealthy food directly to the children, the parents lose control.... child scream and cry for their addictive high fat, high salt, high sugar foods.
No toys?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
That's the only reason why I get happy meals! Well, besides the smaller portions and the apple dippers. :D
You've made some really good points, especially about the parents choosing to buy their kids this stuff.
It is getting on my nerves how lawmakers are continuing to ban things and regulate how people do business. The line has to be drawn somewhere. Next thing we know, they're going to tell us what we're eating for every meal.
McDonald's has already been introducing healthier options for children such as milk and fruit. It is up to the parents to designate that option when purchasing their meal.
I agree, it should be up to the parents as to what they all their kids to eat. Its not like these kids are buying happy meals on their own anyways... So whats the big deal?
The gov't needs to take their filthy hands out of my Happy Meal box.
While I don't condone obesity (or McDonalds), I always feel somewhat uneasy when the government intervenes.
As for that KFC sandwich, sometimes I think that the only reason why it's so successful and popular is cos nobody shuts up about it!The toys are stupid anyway. Even as a child (my parents rarely took my brother and I to McDonalds) I was never tempted by the toys. I guess I was more like "I'm hungry... so can we eat and go?" Practical kid I was.
Why can't parents just take responsibility for what they put in front of their kids? Happy Meals are great in moderation, not for a meal everyday.
As a parent, I think this is just ridiculous. The problem is that we continue to not make this a parental issue, but the big, bad media. I'm sorry, if you aren't willing to put your foot down (or, here's a novel concept, not take your kids to eat fast food every week), then the only person to blame when your child is obese is you. We eat fast food about once a month, but we also go outside and play and eat healthier all the rest of the time. It's not hard, but more and more parents are lazy.
....Happy Meal toys were the highlight of my family's shopping trips to the city at most once a month when I lived in Sweden =[[ The closest one was 20 minutes away. It's not like little kids can take themselves to McDonald's and buy themselves a Happy Meal to get a toy. That's ridiculous.
yeah, the toys are crap anyway. it's worth a shot, i guess, but i don't think the toys are the problem.
I think calling greasy, ulhealthy fast food a "treat" isn't so great either...
that makes children think "yay fries" and "boo veggies or healthy foods"
what?!! I love happy meals!
whilst i dislike obesity on health grounds, i am ashamed of people banning toys from happy meals! they are the reason why most of us had happy memories during our childhoods.
no to the ban! it's the parents who should be responsible for their children's food intake as much as what they are allowed to watch on tv. stop blaming other people!
It's the parents who should be making these decisions. If they want their kids to eat healthy, they shouldn't take them to McDonalds so often. And they should cut back on the TV consumption so the kids don't see so many food and toy ads.
If people are concerned about children's health, getting rid of the toy in the kids' meals won't help. If the parents are really concerned, then they should pack food for the kids while out or just eat at home. Just because something is offered, they don't have to buy. Seeing the toy in the display is tempting, but the parent can buy the toy only, no need to buy fries. But what about all the commercials on TV? Should they be banned, too? Don't be ridiculous, lawmakers!
I find this law ridiculous. I'm sorry, but it's not McDonald's fault that parents are buying happy meals. Sometimes, unfortunately, it's cheaper to buy the kids a happy meal than to go to the store, buy the makings of a meal for the family. Easier, too.
Parents are expected to be everything for everyone these days. We're supposed to work and be productive members of society. We're supposed to volunteer for the PTA and be involved in our kids' school. We're supposed to spend all of our time teaching our kids everything. We're also still expected to be involved with the rest of our family.The thing is, there isn't enough time in the day for everything. I'd rather the government sponsor a "slow parenting down" program. No, your kids DO NOT need to be involved in 3 to 6 after-school activities. The one THEY want to be involved in will suffice. (And, no, it doesn't matter how many sports programs they're involved in, it won't force them to be healthier and it won't make them the next superstar. Remember, Michael Jordon was cut from his high school basketball team!) We don't let kids play anymore, and we don't let kids be kids. My own younger siblings have their whole days planned out for them!! That's lunacy!But, when the kids have their days planned out, parents usually lose the most time. Meaning home-cooked meals have gone the way of the Dodo. I mean REAL home cooked meals. Not Hamburger Helper. Meals take effort. They teach kids to explore their options. That, sometimes, green stuff CAN taste awesome. That you don't need to smother stuff in cheese or cream sauce for them to have flavor.As for the Double Down...as a foodie and lover of chicken AND bacon, I couldn't finish a whole one...it was too big.
And it still has less fat and calories than a Big Mac ;)
This is just totally messed up. It's the parents choice what to feed their children. Personally, I plan on collecting all the glasses from Shrek. I just saw the commercial and I want them for myself.
I personally am not a big eater and tend to order Happy Meals. It just makes sense for me to eat them and I get to bring home a toy for my grandbaby or my 7 month old
I don't like McDonalds in general. But I can understand why they've taken away the toys. Some kids do come for the toys, scavenge for them and collect them as well. Taking the chance for that away, hopefully would make "Happy Meals" more unappealling.
@ChasingPirates@xanga - so, because some kids are greedy miscreants, the good kids should miss out?
It's all stupid. We'd like to put the blame on so many outside factors, like the "lure" of toys for happy meals. Really, we all just need to grow up and make responsible choices.
uhm how much calories can you get from a tiny cheese burger and tiny fries? and most times the kids dont like burgers. they just eat the fries or opt for the nuggets instead of a burger.
i've never had a happy meal.
i don't think i missed out on much.
Is this in Canada too? I dont think so, i was at mcdonalds today and there was lots of shrek toys to go with the happy meals!
@jenXdigital@xanga -
I'm not saying that at all. But what are they missing out on exactly? From McDonald's nutritional guide, to their deliberate toys (with the purchase of a Happy Meal), you're saving little children from the habit of eating at fast-food restaurants.
To go for the toys, they puppy-dog eye, and pout until their parents crave in, and buy their child a Happy Meal. When the meal's done, they're over their prize, and on to the next one.