McDonald's and Toy Lawsuit: Are "Happy Meals" Tricking Kids?

By: Neil Katz
Topics

Shrek toys are part of McDonald's Happy Meals.

(Credit: McDonalds)

(CBS) McDonald's should stop toying around with kids' health.

That's the message from a consumer group that is threatening to sue McDonald's if they don't stop using toys to lure kids into eating fatty food.

"This advertising is unfair to kids and to parents who are put in the position of constantly telling their kids no," Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which is threatening the suit, told CBS News.

"The meals range from mediocre to miserable," he said. "The calories range from moderate to high. Sodium is typically excessive, especially in the cheeseburgers and the fries, where a child is getting 3/4 of their daily intake."

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Seventy percent of obese children have at least on risk factor for cardiovascular disease, they say, and are at "greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem."

But McDonald's says they aren't the problem.

"We are proud of our Happy Meal which gives our customers wholesome food and toys of the highest quality and safety," William Whitman, McDonald's Vice President of Communication, said. "Getting a toy is just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald's."

McDonald's also points out that they are now using Shrek themed promotions to convince kids to make healthier choices. "Almost half of Happy Meals sold worldwide include a fruit, vegetable, milk, juice or water option," the company said in a press release.

CSPI says they tried to convince McDonald's to limit toy marketing to only healthy meals, but the golden arches shot them down.

"We have found that companies only really negotiate if they are threatened with a lawsuit or actually sued," Jacobson said. "We are hoping McDonald's will negotiate with us and come up with some kind of resolution."

Jacobsen also said McDonald's was just a test run. If their strategy works, other fast food chains can expect a knock on their door.

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by apear951 May 20, 2011 9:40 AM EDT: An even worse attempt.. and San Diego mother of two tried to sue Chuck E Cheese for $5 million saying that some of the games could be considered gambling. The case was dismissed on the grounds that the lawsuit was really, really, really, stupid.. http://www.pavonefoodandbev.com/how-not-to-market-to-children/; Reply to this comment


by slasiste January 24, 2011 11:59 PM EST: Come on This is STUPID!!!!!! No person should be able to sue any place simply because they do not like the menu. Parents need to get a grip... Stop letting your kids run your life!!!!

I do take my children to McDonalds on occasion... But my children ask for things like SALADS and grilled snack wraps and fruit.... why because their father and I have taught them that you need to be picky about what foods you eat. So what if I have to pay for the toy separate from my kids choice of meal.

McDonalds is not to blame here.... The parents are..... If you are mad simply because your kid wants a certain toy, stop whining about it not being included for FREE if your child chooses something else like a salad or fruit or grilled sandwich or wrap.

Take some responsibility and teach your child what is healthy and stop blaming everyone else because you suck at being a parent!!!!; Reply to this comment


by dominicoc December 16, 2010 8:24 PM EST: ""This advertising is unfair to kids and to parents who are put in the position of constantly telling their kids no," Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which is threatening the suit, told CBS News."

"OH NO!!!!! I am so traumatize now that I have to sue because I said NO to my child!!!!!"; Reply to this comment

by toonsmyth December 15, 2010 8:56 AM EST

I think it's vulgar the way McDonald's markets to kids with their animated commercials during cartoon shows, but their defense will be a simple one, i'm afraid... You can purchase the toys without buying a Happy Meal.

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by dominicoc December 16, 2010 8:09 PM EST: Another defense is the PARENT has the ULTIMATE CHOICE of taking their CHILD to McDonalds and BUYING it for them since a 6-year old can't DRIVE or has NO JOB to BUY the Happy Meal.

If the PARENT can't say NO to their CHILD it is THEIR problem not McDonalds. End of Story.


by grammysue07 September 29, 2010 1:38 AM EDT: What is wrong with society these days. I was a single parent and I alone was responsible to tell my children No..whether it was a happy meal, a toy, candy, disney world..Guess what they learned responsibility and that you dont always get what you want, but what you need. You suit happy people need to get a grip and realize you do not speak for everyone..Not that I think the happy meal should be the main diet of kids, but who are you to decide this..You can buy the toy without the meal...hello....Do you even realize that if the stopped the toys in the meals they would save a heck of alot of money, and guess what the kids would still want a happy meal, and want the parent to buy the toy...This country has become so suit happy over the years, this group should be ashamed of itself, what are you teaching our children? If you can't get it or you want it, sue someone..; Reply to this comment


by grammysue07 September 29, 2010 1:30 AM EDT: Truly people need to get a grip..There is no reason for a lawsuit, just a need for parents to be proactive. My children always wanted to have happy meals, ice cream, candy, walt disney world, and anything else they could think of to ask for..As a single parent, I dont know how many times I had to say no..When parents do this, the children learn self control and that they do not get everything they want. Kind of important in my opinion. What has happened to our society when one group of people don't like something and they decide to press frivilous law suits to get what they want. Wake up people. Not that I agree happy meals are healthy or should even be consumed by children, it is the PARENT who should decide this and taking away the toy..well that just saves McDonalds alot of money doesn't it..think about it.; Reply to this comment


by choosemeals June 29, 2010 10:38 AM EDT: This lawsuit was supposed to be in the interest of the public, but a large number of people seem to be speaking out against it.

Concerned citizens and parents attacked the Center for Science in the Public Interest?s (CSPI) Facebook page regarding their potential lawsuit against McDonald?s Happy Meal Toys.

Read the posts outraged parents left on CPSI?s Facebook: http://freetochooseourmeals.com/parents-attack-center-science-public-interests-facebook-page-mcdonalds-lawsuit/

Bob Cutler, CEO of Creative Consumer Concepts (C3), addressed CSPI?s ridiculous claims and the possibility of the unnecessary lawsuit. ?This lawsuit is CSPI and the government over-reaching. Parents are capable of choosing what their children should eat. This issue pries on public sensitivity for issues such as obesity, the poor or the unemployed, which nobody can stand against without looking completely insensitive,? said Cutler.

FreeToChooseOurMeals.com is for anyone who wants to choose what they eat! Visit Twitter: @ChooseMeals for more information about what you can do to protect consumer choice and stop these ridiculous issues.; Reply to this comment


by JessicaGranado June 25, 2010 9:12 PM EDT: Seriously? Why are we blaming a McDonald's for parents lack of common sense. Being a parent means you will tell your child no, A LOT!! Be the adult and say no to giving your child fast food more than once a week or two weeks. Don't blame fast food chains because of a lack of parenting skills. When these children become teens are they going to try to sue car companies because their child gets in it and drives recklessly? Or sue the people that make playground equipment for their child getting hurt while climbing on the roof of it while the parent fails to supervise the child (yes I have seen parents allow their children to do really stupid things that will hurt them but are too involved talking on the phone or something else or just lack common sense) We all know that fast food is unhealthy it is not some new revolution that popped up yesterday. We all know what we feed our children effects their development and health. We all know that our children need healthy activities to keep them from becoming obese. So if we allow our children to have fast food multiple times a day and then sit playing video games we cannot justify blaming the companies that make the food when we are the ones paying for it.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 June 23, 2010 6:46 PM EDT: That is the biggest bunch of nonsense I have ever heard. The low-fat Nazi's are who has made Americans, including kids, fat. They started this low-fat BS in the 70's and food producers started removing fat from food, which is good for you, and replacing it with salt and sugar to make it taste good. The two worst things in the world for you, too much sugar and too much salt. Fat in foods is what makes them taste good and also is satisfying, so you stay full longer. But gosh, everyone thought, if it is low-fat, then I can eat lots of it. I am sick of McDonalds taking the rap for fat America and I don't even like McDonalds. A hamburger has salad bread and meat. If you put a piece of meat, a salad, and a piece of bread on a plate, everyone would call it a balanced meal. Trans fats are the exection and should become extinct. They are artificial fats and are deadly.; Reply to this comment


by stitchazel June 23, 2010 4:50 PM EDT: I feel that it is not all McDonald's fault. If you are going to sue someone then you should add in all the movie companies that allow them to promote there movie toys in the happy meals. I also feel that McDonald's has changed there menu to give kids a better variety like apple slice and milk and juice, if the parents can't get there kids to eat those healthy things that is not McDonald's fault. So go and sue if you think you want to but where is the blame really?; Reply to this comment