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A supersized attack on McDonald's Happy Meal toys August 2010
A supersized attack on McDonald's Happy Meal toys
Concern about childhood obesity is driving calls to ban toys that have kids clamoring for a McDonald's Happy Meal. But it is not government's role to decide the dinner menu. Consumers have the power
to demand more "healthy" choices, and food producers and retailers are
responding.
Parents are unhappy about the attack on McDonald’s Happy Meals for kids.
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Because of concerns about childhood obesity, a US consumer group wants McDonald’s to stop using toys that lure kids to these meals. In April, Santa Clara, Calif., banned toys for any meal over 485 calories. (Happy Meal calorie counts range
from 390 to 580, according to the McDonald’s nutrition web site.) Now San Francisco is mulling a similar ban.
(For a Monitor news story on the Happy Meal controversy, click here.)
McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner, however, says phone calls and web comments are running overwhelmingly against a ban – with 9 out of 10 customers disagreeing
with the idea.
“Parents, in particular, strongly believe they have the right and responsibility to decide what's best for their children…It really is that simple,” Mr. Skinner said in a written statement July 6.
I’m not surprised by the public reaction. Government’s role in food is to ensure safety and to help consumers choose wisely. It must properly test, inspect, and inform through labeling and education
campaigns. It should not decide on menus for restaurant customers.
That’s for the customers to choose.
Two things need to be remembered here. One is that childhood obesity is a complex problem that extends far beyond the Happy Meal. Ubiquitous “junk food” or “fast
food” is partly to blame, but so are inadequate parenting, sedentary
childhoods, and busy family schedules.
The other point is consumer power. Consumers want more “healthy” choices and they’re getting them – at local farmers markets, in the aisles of mainstream
grocery stores, and yes, even at fast food restaurants such as
McDonald’s.
I was reminded of this on the drive home from my vacation last week. At the Thurmont, Md., exit on Interstate 270 the choices were KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and a family
restaurant. My husband and I didn’t have time for table service, and
settled on the golden arches, which long ago branched out from burgers,
fries, and sugary sodas.
For my tastes, the chain makes a pretty good Southwest salad with chicken. For parents, you can order apple "dippers" instead of fries with your child's Happy Meal, and
apple juice or low-fat milk instead of a soda.
It’s your choice. Let's keep it that way.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Murphy on -
Sound familiar. Personal accountability ,lifestyle,big brother,and personal choice. How bout a little shared accountability on the issue of childhood obesity,or obe$$$$$ity. Before this slick argument ,it was TV and Computers and before that it was LIFESTYLE. We are watching a generation of children get sickly due to this food environment. I think we need a new obesity action plan. Do we need a war on children due to obesity? Do we need to BMI them into eating disorders? Do we need to fight the obese ? I think we need to trade heat for light on this complex issue.
This is our crisis and there are countless factors to consider.
How come diets never fail?
Why are governments turning a blind eye to this issue ?
Who has regulated the weight loss industry?
Why not have family friendly food check outs?
What is paid for science ?
Can one be fit and overweight?
Obese people are not the enemy.
This site is 100 % not for profit.100 % .
Why is the food industry so eager to focus on fitness,TV 's and computers ? What are they not discussing?
We need more farming and less pharming.
Obesity and the media . " Active Healthy Living" and and and and and and .
I have been working at this for some time and I have received very little media coverage.
Obesity translates into many many dollars. There is a lot of money circulating due to this obesity crisis.
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Permalink Reply by Jill Harju on -
I'm guilty as hell when it comes to McDonalds. That was the one treat we got once a month growing up..and once a month wasn't even a garauntee lol. I continue to let my son have McDonalds once or twice a month, and I can tell you that he could careless about the toy that comes with it. I think it is something in the food itself that is an addictive agent, that makes people keep coming back for more, even though we know it is bad for us. We hit McDonalds today for a chicken nugget happy meal, and it came with a donkey watch (from shrek) which eventually ended up on the ground with the dog gnawing on it..hmmm. Find something better to pick on, its not about the toy!!!
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