New York may restrict Happy Meals, kids meals

[The Straight Story]

New York may restrict Happy Meals, kids meals

A New York City councilman is planning to introduce legislation to ban McDonald’s fast food meals unless they meet certain nutritional standards.

Councilman Leroy Comrie of Queens plans to announce the legislation at a press event at 11 a.m. CST, according to his chief of staff. The proposed bill would make it illegal to distribute toys, games, trading cards or admission tickets along with any meal for children unless they have less than 500 calories, 600 mg of sodium and 35 percent of calories from fat, excluding nuts, seeds and nut butters.

San Francisco approved similar legislation last fall.

“The health and well-being of New York’s children is one of the most pressing issues facing our city today,” Council Member Comrie said in a statement. “Nearly one-third of all children and adolescents are either overweight or obese in the United States. To help combat this epidemic, I am introducing a bill that will limit fast food industries’ ability to target and lure in the most vulnerable members of our society.”

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2011/04/new-york-considers-ban-on-happy-meals.html

[Countdown_3_2_1]

1. I can think of far more important things for law makers to spend their time on. nt

[KamaAina]

2. Introducing the SF- and NYC-friendly Happy Meal

It's a tiny slider burger with a mini-order of fries, or maybe a small hash brown patty. This puts it just under the caloric and sodium limits.

Now -- and this is the key -- they're priced at 2 for $2.99 or whatever a regular Happy Meal costs. That way kids in The City (both cities call themselves "The City") can get all the fat and sodium, and twice the crappy Chinese toys! :P

[robcon]

3. Parents can choose the meals for their children without any help.

Stupid, stupid legislation.