San Francisco Board Expected To Override Mayor Gavin Newsom's Veto On 'Happy Meal Ban'

CNN.com:

The ordinance requires McDonald's and other fast-food servings with toys to meet new nutritional standards.

Newsom had indicated he would veto the law. That veto would be meaningless because the board approved the ordinance 8-3, a veto-proof margin. With eight votes, the board could override the veto.

The new law, which San Francisco officials hope other cities will adopt in battling a child obesity epidemic, was a defeat for McDonald's, which led the fight against the measure.

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Comments

[Billy195456]

09:17 PM on 11/24/2010

When are city council members going to get it together and understand that it is not their job to decide what a kid can or can't have to eat. That should entirely fall on the shoulders of the parents. Why should a kid who is physically active and not overweight be denied an occasional burger, fries and soft drink? Any parent who constantly lets their child eat fast food then plop down in front of the TV is not a responsible parent. My daughter is active in swimming and volleyball. We make sure she gets the proper nutritional foods. So we feel a happy meal is not a bad thing when given in moderation.

[onionboy]

11:42 AM on 11/17/2010

They need to outlaw the armed gunmen who MUST be violently forcing parents to take their kids to fast food restaurants. Otherwise, this doesn't make sense. :)

[dbrett480]

11:18 PM on 11/16/2010

According to San Francisco logic: Happy Meals (bad), circumcision (bad), needles for heroin addicts (good).

[amalocha]

03:25 PM on 11/15/2010

Happy meal? More like a Crappy Meal if it doesn't come with a cheap plastic toy.

Why don't the parents of San Francisco just give all their children up to the state and let them raise them? /facedesk

[dbrett480]

11:34 PM on 11/14/2010

This is a pretty mild ban based on crazy San Francisco standards. There is a measure on the ballot for the next election that would ban circumcision.

[Nicole Dixson]

08:57 PM on 11/14/2010

You bet your sweet bippy it doesn't go far enough! What about the toys sold in kids meals at Jack in the Box, Carls Jr., Wendys, Burger King, etc., etc.? What about the crayons and coloring sheets they give with all those 2,000 calorie kids meals that are sold in restaurants? Yes, I am being sarcastic!

[stevnjessie1]

10:32 AM on 11/14/2010

Can anyone suggest to me a web page that gives us the process of how fast food is prepared? I would barf if my Panda Express orange chicken is not glazed-over McNuggets.

[williamg]

07:33 PM on 11/13/2010

Parents demanding an ordinance that takes blame off parents when they buy their children Happy Meals.

[dbrett480]

07:43 PM on 11/12/2010

Now that Newsom's Lt. Gov of CA who will be the next voice of reason in San Francisco?

[Eagleman]

05:42 PM on 11/12/2010

Only in San Francisco this happens - bunch of dope heads...

They are also proposing a ban of circumcision.

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/politics/Next-on-San-Franciscos-Hit-List-Circumcision-107316878.html

[springsm]

11:23 AM on 11/12/2010

to say a 6th grader became obese due to this toy in mcconald's happy meals is insane.  Girls and boys go through a hormonal change about then and very often they put on fat.  They also become less active unless the parents push them to be.  That they are eating McDonald's food to this extent means the parent gave away all control.  I don't see anything wrong with a toy in a hamburger bag.  The parent can learn that little word "NO" or limit that to being a luxury and not something that is the easiest for the parent.  Honestly, this is just too much.  I smell a rat...it was a good marketing plan and it was a first.  So ..lets bring on another government issue, while complaining about it.  Baloney.

[Angelus2007]

05:33 PM on 11/12/2010

Plus, most 6th grade kids don't have their own money and are allowed to make their own food choices. For a kid to get a happy meal because of the toy the parents have to let them. This law is nothing but SF getting on its soap box again and saying they know best. How pretentious.

[Nicole Dixson]

08:54 PM on 11/14/2010

I agree with you both. Great points!