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NY councilman proposes ban on toys in kids' meals that don't meet nutritional standards

New York Councilman Ben Kallos has introduced a bill that would set stricter nutrition standards for kids’ meals that come with toys.

August 25, 2014

New York Councilman Ben Kallos introduced a bill last week that would set stricter nutrition standards for kids’ meals that come with toys.

According to the New York Daily News,

The proposed legislation would bar fast-food joints from offering free toys, coupons and other incentives with a kids’ meal if the food served contains more than 500 calories and more than 600 mg of sodium.

They want to require the meal to also contain at least half a cup of fruit, vegetables or a serving of whole-grain products.

Kallos said he knows from his own childhood how strong the lure of meals with toys is for kids. He used to ask his mother to buy him McDonald’s Happy Meals just so he could get the trinkets.

If a fast-food chain violates the proposed bill, it would have to pay a fee ranging from $200 to $500 for a first-time offense; between $500 and $1,000 for a second offense; and between $1,000 and $2,500 for a third offense.