Posts Tagged ‘ CSPI ’

Sue McDonald’s? Sounds Frivolous to me

June 23rd, 2010. By AbiK

So The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is targeting McDonald’s and its ubiquitous Happy Meal toys. Seems if McDonald’s doesn’t stop dangling those toys in front of wide-eyed kids, the CSPI is set to sue the fast-food giant.

Now, I’m no fan of Happy Meals. Though, I will say, kid-sized menus across the board have slowly been responding to consumer demand for healthier options to be included in the movie-du-jour carry-out meal box. Options like low-fat milk, apple slices, carrot sticks… Still, let’s face it, a Happy Meal cannot compare to a wholesome meal.

But, as far as I’m concerned, this is another example of the “who’s responsible here?” question.

Here’s a typical example of how Happy Meal marketing plays out in my home—which includes three kid-meal aged kids:

Mom (aka me): Darn, I wanted to get that roast in the oven but now it’s too late!

Kids: Let’s go to McDonald’s!!!!!

Mom: No.

If you’ve noticed, there’s a two-letter word there that flew—effortlessly I might add—right out of my mouth. In case you missed it, it was “No.”

As in No, we’re not going to McDonald’s. No, we’re not getting any Happy Meals. No, I’m not letting any Happy Meal toys enter the house only to find themselves heading to a landfill within mere minutes of the meal’s consumption. If you haven’t yet noticed, Mommy doesn’t do Happy Meals. I do Happy. I do Meals. But the two don’t co-exist at the dinner table.

So the CSPI sent McDonald’s a letter stating that Mickey D’s is violating state consumer protection laws in four states and Washington, DC. According to cnn.com, the letter gives McDonald’s 30 days to agree to stop using toys in its Happy Meals.

The CSPI also seems to like extremes when it comes to the use of analogy—granted, it’s for effect, but still—here’s what their litigation director is quoted as having said in a prepared statement: “McDonald’s is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children…It’s a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction.”

If I take that literally, Ronald McDonald ought to be on a searchable sex offender Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: CSPI, McDonald's, McDonald's Happy Meal
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