A reader writes:
Well, it finally happened! San Francisco banned the happy meal in a veto-proof majority vote yesterday. Apparently you can't be trusted to decide if your kid should get to eat a meal that comes with a toy. Or you can't be trusted to ignore your kid begging for the toy.
The specifics:
Under the ordinance, scheduled to take effect in December 2011, restaurants may include a toy with a meal if the food and drink combined contain fewer than 600 calories, and if less than 35% of the calories come from fat.
The ordinance would also require restaurants to provide fruits and vegetables with all meals for children that come with toys.
"We're part of a movement that is moving forward an agenda of food justice," said Supervisor Eric Mar, who sponsored the measure. "From San Francisco to New York City, the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country is making our kids sick, particularly kids from low income neighborhoods, at an alarming rate. It's a survival issue and a day-to-day issue."
Food justice? Jon Bershad is saddened:
The most offensive thing about this law though is the idea of the government totally disrupting the marketplace. What child is going to want to go to McDonalds now? You just know that the big California organic vegan food bar chains are going to sign a deal with Disney and totally dominate the kiddie market.
At least the McRib's back.