McDonald's Happy Meal Lawsuit Dismissed By Calif. Judge

-- Children in California will still be able to get toys with their Happy Meals.

A San Francisco judge has dismissed a proposed class-action lawsuit that sought to stop McDonald's Corp. from using toys to market its meals to children in the Golden State. The suit had been filed in late 2010 by Monet Parham, a California mother of two, and The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

The suit had claimed that the world's biggest hamburger chain was violating consumer protection laws and exploiting children's vulnerability by using toys to lure them to eat nutritionally unbalanced meals that can lead to obesity. The lawsuit did not seek damages.

McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud said that the lawsuit was without merit and detracted from "the important issue of children's health and nutrition."

"We are proud of our Happy Meals and will vigorously defend our brand, our reputation and our food," Proud said in the statement. "We stand on our 30-year track record of providing a fun experience for kids and families at McDonald's."

The company last July announced that it would reduce the portion of French fries in every Happy Meal by half and replace them with apple slices. The rollout of the initiative began in September and was recently completed.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest said in a statement that it will discuss with Parham whether to appeal the case. The group called the use of toys to market food a "predatory practice that undermines parents, causes rifts in families and harms kids' health."

The suit, filed in the county of San Francisco, was dismissed by Judge Richard Kramer on Wednesday.

Shares of McDonald's were up 73 cents at $98.21 in afternoon trading.

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Comments

[Bill Lazzarini]

09:13 AM on 04/06/2012

That is why I created this page right after this nonsense started, "McDonald’s did not make the child fat, bad parenting made the child fat", and now glorious victory is mine! How this ever made it into a court of law is the real problem.

[winkle133]

07:30 PM on 04/05/2012

Wow. A California judge with some common sense. Didn't know any of those existed anymore.
Parents, just say "NO".

[lcleveroni]

07:29 PM on 04/05/2012

The toy in the box isn't the problem lady. You are.

[Animefreakandgeek]

07:15 PM on 04/05/2012

This is liek saying you will sue a resturant for making the food too good, or having cute waiters/waitresses, or any number of things that draw you to eat there. dont want the kids to get fat? Dont eat there every day? Kids whine about wanting to eat there for the toy, tough, let them learn they dont always get what they want, and be a parent and say NO. These types of lawsuits annoy the crud out of me because while it deals with food chains, its not far off fromt he very real scare of parents suing teachers for bad grades or 'bad expereinces' in school becaus either child didnt do well or get the best grades. Life isnt perfect. Life isnt fair. Parents need to be parents and kids need to learn that they are kids and that NO is a common word they should hear a lot more of!

[quartrhoss]

07:00 PM on 04/05/2012

Happy meals exploit children so much that they grab their car keys, clean out their bank account and pig out on them. Poor kids, no parents around to BE parents.
If this woman has so much trouble keeping her kids from eating happy meals 24/7 maybe social services should be investigating her abilit to parent!

[Christine Chew]

06:51 PM on 04/05/2012

For real? You are the parent, you say no. End of discussion. I'm gonna file a lawsuit against liquor and beer companies for playing on my vulnerabilities. Some people need to get a life.

[toddisit]

06:37 PM on 04/05/2012

If you don't like or agree with something, don't go there, esp food, with all the options. Tell your kids they aren't going and get over it. Yes, it is not the most healthy place, but everything in moderation is a good rule. Kids don't make the decisions, parents do.

[Tim Kunk]

06:02 PM on 04/05/2012

Best parenting word ever NO! use it when your kid asks for a happy meal, use it when your kid wants something you can't afford, use it to let your kid know you are not a push over. I swear I meet kids who have never heard of that simple word.

[wilsonkoi]

04:52 PM on 04/05/2012

There is hope for California judges yet.

[hiitsjoan]

04:47 PM on 04/05/2012

Hey, Ms. Parham, how about you just act like a real parent and tell your kids they can't have Happy Meals?

[berg1928]

06:31 PM on 04/05/2012

But . . . but . . . she wants to be FRIENDS with her kids. She wants her kids to know complete happiness and never know disappointment. She wants someone else to be he bad guy.

[tetraforceblk]

06:49 PM on 04/05/2012

haha!

[hulkwolver]

06:36 PM on 04/05/2012

Couldn't have said it any better.

[Celticx]

04:07 PM on 04/05/2012

Good decision. Parents are responsible for what they feed their children not the government. If parents don't want Toys in a Happy Meal then let them stay home and trouble thmeselves to care enough about their kids' health that they actual cook dinner for their children.

[Chrislt]

04:33 PM on 04/05/2012

I agree. Happy meals ect. are meant for a special treat, not for a main staple in their diet. I do not know any five year old with access to a car and money to get this on their own.

[jacksprat6969]

06:13 PM on 04/05/2012

Amen Chrislt ...why havent they targeted Cracker Jacks....caramel coated popcorn with toys inside...i grew up un the stuff as well as my friends...we made it with out a parents group blameing someone... ever notice everyone complains or is sueing someone..? Eat up kids while you can ....enjoy your childhood..

[tigerczew]

04:37 PM on 04/05/2012

I agree. It's the parents responsibility to make sure their kids are eating the best they can if they are the one providing the food.... If a kids wants to go out and spend their own$ on junk then that's on the kid. But if a parent takes them out to places they know to be bad then that's on the parent for taking them there in the first place.

Stop asking the government to do the job of the parents.