City mulls cracking down on Happy Meals

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- San Francisco officials say they will consider a proposal to crack down on promotional toys in Happy Meals and other fast food offerings.

The measure, set for public hearing Monday, would make it illegal for kids' meals to come with the popular toy giveaways if the food exceeds city-set limits on calories, fat, salt and sugar, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Saturday.

Supervisor Eric Mar, chief sponsor of the legislation, said the toys offered with kids meals at fast-food restaurants are powerful lures for children.

"As a parent, it's not just parental choice that decides what meals to serve your children," Mar said. "There's the heavy marketing by an industry that connects food with a toy, and that can be a powerful influence. It's the responsibility of the industry to promote healthy choices."

Industry opponents say the proposal is an example of government regulation going too far.

"We believe strongly that it is the right of parents to decide what children eat," Karen Wells, vice president of nutrition and menu strategy for McDonald's USA, said.

McDonald's already provides healthier choices for its customers, Wells said, noting kids can get apples with their Happy Meals instead of French fries and milk instead of soda.