Cutting Calories

The recent election has taken its toll on the golden arches and your next happy meal may not be so happy.

Earlier this week the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a law that prevents fast food restaurants from giving away toys in unhealthy meals for children. The law will only allow toys to be given away in meals that have less than 600 calories, contain fruits and vegetables and offer drinks that aren’t overloaded with sugar.

San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar sponsored the law and says the point is to tackle childhood obesity. Mar says our children are sick and this law is nothing more than a challenge to the restaurant industry to think about health first. But not everyone is on board with the low calorie plan. The McDonald’s corporation first debuted the happy meal complete with toy in 1979.

McDonald’s spokeswoman Danya Proud says the company is very disappointed with the decision and believes it is not what the customers want. Proud says getting a toy with a happy meal is part of a fun family experience. It’s amazing to critics that with all the problems of homeless, potholes and crime in the city, politicians have the time to tell you what to buy your kids for lunch.