The San Francisco board of supervisors has voted by a veto-proof margin to ban Happy Meals that have foods containing excess sugar and fats. The LA Times states, "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 new ordinance also requires Happy Meals (meals containing toys) to have a serving of a fruit of vegetable in the meal.
Considering that at least half of American adults, and almost one-third of American children are overwieght, including fruit or vegetables in Happy Meals seems like a great idea. On the other hand, consumers have their right to choose what to stuff their faces with, even if it is as the expense of their child's health. Parents don't want the government making choices for them (especially when it comes to their kids), but many others believe that due to the obesity epidemic in America government needs to step in and regulate what people eat.
Here's the thing: many parents are NOT responsible for their health, or their kids' health. Here's a concept: make your own sandwiches. Buy some fruit. Drink WATER. Your children will thank you later-when they are not overwieght, suffering from diabetes, and having heart problems.
Parents are not entirely to blame. McDonalds has put toys in Happy Meals for years, knowing that children will ask for the meal to get the toy. McDonalds could add fruit and vegetables to the meals, and still give the toy, but they more than likely think that without the addictive sugar, fat, and additives, kids won't want the Happy Meals.
Consumers have a right to chose what they want to eat. San Fransisco's local government is simply trying to reverse the widespread disease of obesity in this country. Too bad people cannot just eat healthy and choose wisely. The government should not have to butt in on this issue-or decide what consumers should buy. Hopefully this is the start of a nation wide movement of people deciding for themselves to eat healthy and choose healthy foods for their kids.
