• USA Today, Friday, August 13, 2010 8:33 AM

Legislation that would ban toys from most kid's meals sold at fast food outlets unless the meals meet stringent calorie and sodium limits has been introduced in San Francisco, Bruce Horovitz reports. The legislation also would require fruit or veggies in each meal. Thirty-six percent of kids under age 6 say the best part of eating out is getting a toy, NPD Group reports; only 16% like the food best.

"There's no fundamental conflict between a healthy meal and a happy meal," says Rajiv Bhatia, environmental health director for San Francisco. He says chains will need to make relatively small changes in ingredients or portion size. Officials at McDonald's and Burger King declined to comment.

But Daniel Conway, spokesman for the California Restaurant Association, says the ordinance turn burger flippers into food police. Santa Clara County, just south of San Francisco, has enacted a similar law. "This is just another example of San Francisco taking a bad idea and making it worse," he says.

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