Mayor Vetoes Toy Ban in Kid’s Meals at Fast-Food Restaurants

Mayor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a law that would ban toys from being included with kid’s meals at fast-food restaurants. He vetoed the ban on Friday.

Kids – and likely parents – will likely be rejoicing throughout San Francisco. Sometimes the promise of a toy can be the only way to entice a stubborn child to eat, not that that should necessarily be applauded.

The idea, apparently, is that the law would ban toys from being sold in meals that did not meet a strict set of nutritional standards of reduced calories, salt, fat and sugar – and also contain fruits and vegetables.

While it does seem like a good idea to reward children for eating healthy, is it really fair to only include them in such meals? To ban a toy from a meal not meeting those requirements seems an unnecessary form of punishment.

However, despite the mayor’s opposition, the law may still be put into effect. According to the San Francisco Gate, the Board passed the law on an 8-3 vote Tuesday. Unfortunately for kids, this is enough to override the mayor’s veto.

The boards’ goal upon inflicting this law is to help conquer childhood obesity.

While it seems like a noble goal, it would not be surprising for parents to purchase the healthy meal with a toy, and also the meal the kid wants to eat. All they have to do is eat the healthy meal themselves and they can still provide their child with a toy, so it is doubtful that the law would even have much of an effect.

Newsom called the intent laudable but imprudent. "There are times when a city can go too far. There's a time when we even cross the line," he said.

"Doing these types of toy bans is inappropriate, I don't think particularly effective, and I just think goes way too far in inserting government to try to be the decision-maker in someone's life as opposed to parents," the mayor said.

He’s makes an excellent point. While the government should make healthy food readily available as a selection, ultimately it should be up to the parent – not the government – what to feed their child. Unless, of course, the government would like to foot the bill completely for feeding kids – then, perhaps, the ban would be more effective. This is highly unlikely to ever happen, though.

"We want to give restaurants an incentive to provide more healthy options, and the fast-food industry has to be held accountable," said Supervisor Eric Mar, chief sponsor of the legislation that was modeled after a similar law in Santa Clara County.

McDonald's, the world's largest restaurant chain, said Newsom's view is consistent with public opinion that parents - not the government - should decide what's right for their children. Currently McDonald’s meals which offer toys do not meet the requirements.

If passed, the toy ban would become effective in December 2011.