Santa Clara County California Officials Vote to Ban Toys in Happy Meals - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-27-2010, 07:41 PM

County officials vote to ban toys and other promotions that restaurants offer with high-calorie children’s meals.

It’s a sad day for Happy Meals in Santa Clara County

Happy Meal toys and other promotions that come with high-calorie children's meals will soon be banned in parts of Santa Clara County unless the restaurants meet nutritional guidelines approved Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors.

"This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's' love of toys" to sell high-calorie, unhealthful toys, said Supervisor Ken Yeager, who sponsored the measure. "This ordinance breaks the link between unhealthy food and prizes."

Voting against the measure was Supervisor Donald Gage, who said parents should be responsible for their children.

"If you can't control a 3-year-old child for a toy, God save you when they get to be teenagers," he said. Gage, who is overweight, said he was a living example of how obese children can become obese adults.

But he questioned the role of fast-food toys. "When I was growing up in Gilroy 65 years ago, there were no fast-food restaurants," Gage said.

The board, whose jurisdiction extends only to the unincorporated parts of the county, including much of Silicon Valley, voted 3 to 2 in favor of the ban after a contentious meeting that included more than an hour of testimony on both sides.

In favor of the item were public health administrators, parents and doctors; opposed were fast-food franchisees, other parents, and fans of fast-food toys who said the promotions are often used to provide Christmas presents for poor children.

Dr. Dan Delgado, director of a county program that targets childhood obesity, said the toys are a powerful lure for children, encouraging them to eat unhealthy food, which then helps cause obesity.

Delgado told the supervisors that parents who come into his clinic say they often buy Happy Meals and other fast food for their children because of the toys that are included. Delgado said that the obese children coming into his clinic include a 5-year-old with Type-2 diabetes.

But Steve Peat, who owns seven McDonald's franchises in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, said he and his wife work hard to promote healthy lifestyles for children through their restaurants. Peat said that they have donated funds for children's sports and other activities, and recently won an award for community service from the McDonald's Corp.

The toys won't disappear right away.

As a compromise to win majority support, the five-member board agreed to put off implementing the measure for 90 days, to give the fast-food industry time to come up with a voluntary program for improving the nutritional value of children's meals.

catlover79 · 04-28-2010, 12:21 AM

Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

catlover79 · 04-28-2010, 06:52 PM

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - County officials in Silicon Valley trying to curb childhood obesity voted Tuesday to ban restaurants from giving away toys and other freebies that often come with high-calorie meals aimed at kids.

The ordinance is largely symbolic as it would only cover unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, meaning only about a dozen fast-food outlets and several other family-owned restaurants would be affected.

But its chief sponsor says it's still important because it paves the way for other areas to act, may spur action by fast-food chains to offer healthier choices and can help parents by taking away a child's incentive for wanting less healthy food.

"This ordinance does not attack toys. Obviously, toys, in and of themselves, do not make children obese," said county Supervisor Ken Yeager, who pushed for the ban. "But it is unfair to parents and children to use toys to capture the tastes of children when they are young to get them hooked on eating high-sugar, high-fat foods early in life."

The ban, which faces a final vote next month, would prohibit restaurants from giving away an incentive item, like a toy, with a meal that contains more than 485 calories, more than 600 milligrams of sodium and excessive amounts of fat and sugars.

Efforts to trim high calorie food from children's plates have been made all over the nation, most recently in a campaign led by first lady Michelle Obama. One in three American children is overweight or obese.

County supervisors said restaurants encourage children to choose specific menu items by linking them with free toys and other incentives. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that about $360 million was spent in 2006 on toys that were included in kids' meals.

A 2008 study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest showed that 10 out of 12 meals that came with toys exceeded the recommended caloric limits for children, Yeager said.

The California Restaurant Association lobbied against the ordinance saying it was misguided and another example of government overreaching. The organization placed ads in local newspapers against the ordinance and conducted a poll they said showed that an overwhelmingly number of county residents opposed such a measure.

"The people of Santa Clara County believe they are in a better position to make decisions about what to feed their kids than politicians are," said Daniel Conway, a spokesman for the organization that represents 22,000 restaurants in California.

Conway said fast-food chains already offer healthy options for children, including milk, carrot sticks, apple slices and whole grains. He said the ordinance looked like a simplistic attention-grabbing move rather than a comprehensive, thoughtful effort to curb a serious problem.

He also worried that such an ordinance would create safety issues in restaurants where children want a toy but can't have one because the combination of food items they've chosen doesn't meet the regulations.

"We don't want to have incidents in restaurants where an employee has to enforce these laws and parents get mad and children get upset," he said.

A spokesman for McDonald's Corp. said the company was disappointed in the ordinance but it does not affect any of its stores in Santa Clara County.

"Concerning this ordinance, parents tell us they want to have the right to make their own decisions. Our customers are smart, and they will continue to make choices that are right for them," said Walt Riker, a McDonald's spokesman.

Miguel Piedra, a spokesman for Burger King, referred all questions to the restaurant association and said he believed the company did not have any stores in the affected area but wasn't sure. According to a list from the county, there is one Burger King in the unincorporated area that would be affected.

The county public health department would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance. A restaurant would face fines of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations.

Yeager said the aim is to help direct parents to more healthy choices. He said the government has a responsibility to keep kids safe, and cited rules on car seats, cribs and other baby items as examples where the policymakers step in to regulate products.

If passed on the second reading May 11, it would take effect 90 days later. Restaurants can still modify the proposal by suggesting alternatives that would need supervisor approval.

spunkygirl · 04-28-2010, 07:09 PM

Yeah blame the toys, heaven forbid they hold parents accountable

It's not like Mickey D's force feeds these kids the food

If they can't get it there, the parents will go elsewhere.

Janice · 04-28-2010, 11:05 PM

Here come the Nanny States, dictating how much fat, sugar and salt is in our food. What's next, no drinking or alcohol for adults, or tax them so much that your average adult can't afford it?

Tubehead · 04-28-2010, 11:29 PM

I wish people would stop blaming resturn and start blameing the parents . it not kid fault they get fat . . is mcdonels the only place kids eat at? i think i be sick of it after a while. ibeen fat all might life. why nottake them to subway they got toys in theier kids meals. i mine as well sue krytles or candy maker for making me fat .the parnest are dumb. they don't got any good toys in kids meal today any way. their peace of junk.

ABlairican Pie · 04-28-2010, 11:53 PM

Uhh, excuse me, good, kind, sensible Overlords of Santa Clara County: Kids are taken to McDonald's by their parents, relatives, or guardians for a treat.
Most of the time it's on a weekend or a special time. They don't go there EVERY SINGLE DAY. 99 times out of 100 the PARENTS OR GUARDIANS are the ones footing the bill for the fun foods and the toys. The kids do not generally have the financial means to support their cheeseburger and Shamrock Shake fix. An older person is buying it for them as a treat, a reward, or quick meal. Toys are a nice little way to enjoy a happy event.
The forces of political correctness are on a total rampage, and must have Supersize Fries crammed down their tofu-encrusted throats.

The Santa Clara County Overlords are EVIL.

bmasters9 · 04-29-2010, 11:41 AM

What gets me about this is that I don't judge the people who don't take their children to McDonalds, but these idiots have apparently made it their goal in life to judge those of us who do (even if we do it only once in a while). It's not their business-- never has been.

Dr. Thong · 04-29-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZKS

Yeah blame the toys, heaven forbid they hold parents accountable

It's not like Mickey D's force feeds these kids the food

If they can't get it there, the parents will go elsewhere.

This.

Dr. Thong · 04-29-2010, 12:04 PM

It just dawned on me -- they're fighting this in one county.

No problem -- the parents will just take their kids to another county, provided it's not too far to go.

If that happens, how long before the McDonalds in that county begin lobbying to roll back the law?

This whole thing is so frickin' ridiculous.

catlover79 · 04-29-2010, 12:10 PM

Yeah, I think there's a McDonald's every 50 feets.

Just cross the county line!

catlover79 · 04-29-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Here come the Nanny States, dictating how much fat, sugar and salt is in our food. What's next, no drinking or alcohol for adults, or tax them so much that your average adult can't afford it?

SHHHH!! Janice, don't give them any more ideas!!!

Dr. Thong · 04-29-2010, 12:22 PM

They tried prohibition in the twenties. It didn't work.

There's too much money to be made from booze. Besides, we are edging closer to becoming a country that will legalize pot.

And you know who's against that? The drug dealers, because all their profits will go right out the window.

I've never tried it, but I don't think pot is any worse than alcohol. Alcohol to me is far worse is because it's legal and still socially acceptable and people still get behind the wheel after a few drinks.

But getting back to Happy Meals -- yeah, taking toys out of them will eradicate the problem.

catlover79 · 04-29-2010, 12:29 PM

They wouldn't be Happy Meals without toys!!! Boo hiss to the PC Police!!!

Dr. Thong · 04-29-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

They wouldn't be Happy Meals without toys!!! Boo hiss to the PC Police!!!

Amen, sistah Monika!!

04-27-2010, 07:41 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,498	Santa Clara County California Officials Vote to Ban Toys in Happy Meals County officials vote to ban toys and other promotions that restaurants offer with high-calorie children’s meals. It’s a sad day for Happy Meals in Santa Clara County Happy Meal toys and other promotions that come with high-calorie children's meals will soon be banned in parts of Santa Clara County unless the restaurants meet nutritional guidelines approved Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors. "This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's' love of toys" to sell high-calorie, unhealthful toys, said Supervisor Ken Yeager, who sponsored the measure. "This ordinance breaks the link between unhealthy food and prizes." Voting against the measure was Supervisor Donald Gage, who said parents should be responsible for their children. "If you can't control a 3-year-old child for a toy, God save you when they get to be teenagers," he said. Gage, who is overweight, said he was a living example of how obese children can become obese adults. But he questioned the role of fast-food toys. "When I was growing up in Gilroy 65 years ago, there were no fast-food restaurants," Gage said. The board, whose jurisdiction extends only to the unincorporated parts of the county, including much of Silicon Valley, voted 3 to 2 in favor of the ban after a contentious meeting that included more than an hour of testimony on both sides. In favor of the item were public health administrators, parents and doctors; opposed were fast-food franchisees, other parents, and fans of fast-food toys who said the promotions are often used to provide Christmas presents for poor children. Dr. Dan Delgado, director of a county program that targets childhood obesity, said the toys are a powerful lure for children, encouraging them to eat unhealthy food, which then helps cause obesity. Delgado told the supervisors that parents who come into his clinic say they often buy Happy Meals and other fast food for their children because of the toys that are included. Delgado said that the obese children coming into his clinic include a 5-year-old with Type-2 diabetes. But Steve Peat, who owns seven McDonald's franchises in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, said he and his wife work hard to promote healthy lifestyles for children through their restaurants. Peat said that they have donated funds for children's sports and other activities, and recently won an award for community service from the McDonald's Corp. The toys won't disappear right away. As a compromise to win majority support, the five-member board agreed to put off implementing the measure for 90 days, to give the fast-food industry time to come up with a voluntary program for improving the nutritional value of children's meals. Attached Images
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

04-28-2010, 12:21 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-28-2010, 06:52 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Toys Banned From Kids' Meals SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - County officials in Silicon Valley trying to curb childhood obesity voted Tuesday to ban restaurants from giving away toys and other freebies that often come with high-calorie meals aimed at kids. The ordinance is largely symbolic as it would only cover unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, meaning only about a dozen fast-food outlets and several other family-owned restaurants would be affected. But its chief sponsor says it's still important because it paves the way for other areas to act, may spur action by fast-food chains to offer healthier choices and can help parents by taking away a child's incentive for wanting less healthy food. "This ordinance does not attack toys. Obviously, toys, in and of themselves, do not make children obese," said county Supervisor Ken Yeager, who pushed for the ban. "But it is unfair to parents and children to use toys to capture the tastes of children when they are young to get them hooked on eating high-sugar, high-fat foods early in life." The ban, which faces a final vote next month, would prohibit restaurants from giving away an incentive item, like a toy, with a meal that contains more than 485 calories, more than 600 milligrams of sodium and excessive amounts of fat and sugars. Efforts to trim high calorie food from children's plates have been made all over the nation, most recently in a campaign led by first lady Michelle Obama. One in three American children is overweight or obese. County supervisors said restaurants encourage children to choose specific menu items by linking them with free toys and other incentives. The Federal Trade Commission estimated that about $360 million was spent in 2006 on toys that were included in kids' meals. A 2008 study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest showed that 10 out of 12 meals that came with toys exceeded the recommended caloric limits for children, Yeager said. The California Restaurant Association lobbied against the ordinance saying it was misguided and another example of government overreaching. The organization placed ads in local newspapers against the ordinance and conducted a poll they said showed that an overwhelmingly number of county residents opposed such a measure. "The people of Santa Clara County believe they are in a better position to make decisions about what to feed their kids than politicians are," said Daniel Conway, a spokesman for the organization that represents 22,000 restaurants in California. Conway said fast-food chains already offer healthy options for children, including milk, carrot sticks, apple slices and whole grains. He said the ordinance looked like a simplistic attention-grabbing move rather than a comprehensive, thoughtful effort to curb a serious problem. He also worried that such an ordinance would create safety issues in restaurants where children want a toy but can't have one because the combination of food items they've chosen doesn't meet the regulations. "We don't want to have incidents in restaurants where an employee has to enforce these laws and parents get mad and children get upset," he said. A spokesman for McDonald's Corp. said the company was disappointed in the ordinance but it does not affect any of its stores in Santa Clara County. "Concerning this ordinance, parents tell us they want to have the right to make their own decisions. Our customers are smart, and they will continue to make choices that are right for them," said Walt Riker, a McDonald's spokesman. Miguel Piedra, a spokesman for Burger King, referred all questions to the restaurant association and said he believed the company did not have any stores in the affected area but wasn't sure. According to a list from the county, there is one Burger King in the unincorporated area that would be affected. The county public health department would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance. A restaurant would face fines of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. Yeager said the aim is to help direct parents to more healthy choices. He said the government has a responsibility to keep kids safe, and cited rules on car seats, cribs and other baby items as examples where the policymakers step in to regulate products. If passed on the second reading May 11, it would take effect 90 days later. Restaurants can still modify the proposal by suggesting alternatives that would need supervisor approval.

04-28-2010, 11:53 PM	#7
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Uhh, excuse me, good, kind, sensible Overlords of Santa Clara County: Kids are taken to McDonald's by their parents, relatives, or guardians for a treat. Most of the time it's on a weekend or a special time. They don't go there EVERY SINGLE DAY. 99 times out of 100 the PARENTS OR GUARDIANS are the ones footing the bill for the fun foods and the toys. The kids do not generally have the financial means to support their cheeseburger and Shamrock Shake fix. An older person is buying it for them as a treat, a reward, or quick meal. Toys are a nice little way to enjoy a happy event. The forces of political correctness are on a total rampage, and must have Supersize Fries crammed down their tofu-encrusted throats. The Santa Clara County Overlords are EVIL.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

04-28-2010, 07:09 PM	#4
spunkygirl Member Moderator Forum Celebrity Join Date: Apr 26, 2003 Posts: 21,563	Yeah blame the toys, heaven forbid they hold parents accountable It's not like Mickey D's force feeds these kids the food If they can't get it there, the parents will go elsewhere.

04-28-2010, 11:05 PM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Here come the Nanny States, dictating how much fat, sugar and salt is in our food. What's next, no drinking or alcohol for adults, or tax them so much that your average adult can't afford it?

04-28-2010, 11:29 PM	#6
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	I wish people would stop blaming resturn and start blameing the parents . it not kid fault they get fat . . is mcdonels the only place kids eat at? i think i be sick of it after a while. ibeen fat all might life. why nottake them to subway they got toys in theier kids meals. i mine as well sue krytles or candy maker for making me fat .the parnest are dumb. they don't got any good toys in kids meal today any way. their peace of junk.

04-29-2010, 11:41 AM	#8
bmasters9 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 2,550	What gets me about this is that I don't judge the people who don't take their children to McDonalds, but these idiots have apparently made it their goal in life to judge those of us who do (even if we do it only once in a while). It's not their business-- never has been.

04-29-2010, 12:04 PM	#10
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	It just dawned on me -- they're fighting this in one county. No problem -- the parents will just take their kids to another county, provided it's not too far to go. If that happens, how long before the McDonalds in that county begin lobbying to roll back the law? This whole thing is so frickin' ridiculous.

04-29-2010, 12:10 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Yeah, I think there's a McDonald's every 50 feets. Just cross the county line!

04-29-2010, 12:22 PM	#13
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	They tried prohibition in the twenties. It didn't work. There's too much money to be made from booze. Besides, we are edging closer to becoming a country that will legalize pot. And you know who's against that? The drug dealers, because all their profits will go right out the window. I've never tried it, but I don't think pot is any worse than alcohol. Alcohol to me is far worse is because it's legal and still socially acceptable and people still get behind the wheel after a few drinks. But getting back to Happy Meals -- yeah, taking toys out of them will eradicate the problem.

04-29-2010, 12:29 PM	#14
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	They wouldn't be Happy Meals without toys!!! Boo hiss to the PC Police!!!