Happy Meal Makes Mom Grimace

A mother of two from Sacramento, California is suing McDonald’s. The woman claims McDonald`s is guilty of enticing children into its restaurants by offering toys along with their Happy Meal and this she states violates California consumer protection laws. Is it not enough McDonald’s offers the best Trans fat fries ever; playrooms to die for; reasonable prices and friendly staff? It’s the plastic toys that are enticing? Who’s in charge here; the kids or the mother? The article does not state whether the children are self-sufficient; whether they are capable of making their own decisions (seriously at 5 years of age what is your biggest decision? Cheerios or Fruit Loops?); work for a living or provide for themselves. Call me crazy but what if the mother were to just say “ah, HOW ABOUT NO!”

The woman is being represented by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition advocacy group. With childhood obesity rates on the rise, it should come as no surprise as to the real motivation behind the lawsuit against the fast food chain. But why stop at McDonald’s. Doesn’t Kelsey’s have a pirate’s chest full of toys? Burger King Crowns? How the hell does Kinder Surprise get away with it? Remember that snack consisting of caramel coated popcorn and peanuts that included a prize in every box? How many times did I get engaged with a Cracker Jacks ring? Cracker Jacks invented the toy enticement concept back in 1912. And like all kids I can remember begging for cracker jacks just for the prize. But instead of suing the manufacturers I think my mom just said ``ah, HOW ABOUT NO!``


Imagine the Pandora’s Box created should the lawsuit be allowed. Why, almost any product advertised to a child that a parent refuses to buy could constitute an unfair trade practice. Kids can forget about sleeping with that picture of a bike under their pillow. Canadian Tire catalogues will be outlawed; Sears Christmas catalogues-banned; grocery store front-end check-outs-sugar-free. No more meltdowns without a stick of gum; candy bar; tic tac; or lifesaver to be found. We may be on to something here.

Meanwhile, I am sticking to my own happy meal; wine with whatever.