McDonald's Happy Meal 10 Cents Charge Infuriates Law-Makers and Customers (VIDEO)
A law has come into effect this week in San Francisco to ensure that food meets certain nutritional criteria before it can be promoted with free toys; all in the name of tackling childhood obesity.
McDonalds Franchise Charging for Happy Meal ToysThe law was brought in to encourage fast food chains such as McDonald’s to reduce the fat, sugar and salt content in its children’s meals, as well as to add more fruit and vegetables.
However, McDonald’s is infuriating lawmakers as well as customers by side-stepping the ban, by simply making its previously free toys, no longer free. The fast food chain is now charging customers 10 cents for its toys.
McDonald’s Happy Meals have been on the market since 1979 and have pioneered the marketing strategy of offering children free toys to attract more sales.
Although McDonald’s has said it will donate all money made from the 10 cent charge to its Ronald McDonald House charity, the company has been called “cynical” by numerous commentators.
Although McDonald’s has said it is trying to make its Happy Meals more healthy, critics have pointed out that the company will not try to push its children’s meals as far as meeting the nutritional guidelines created for San Francisco, preferring instead to simply find ways to avoid the new rules.
