Fast-food chains sued as Chile outlaws happy meals
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and other fast-food companies are being accused in Chile of violating the country's new law against including toys with children's meals.
Sen. Guido Gerardi filed a formal complaint Wednesday with the health authority accusing those and other companies of knowingly endangering the health of children by marketing kids' meals with toys more than a month after the law took effect June 7.
Gerardi said he's also targeting the makers of cereal, ice cream and other products that include toys, crayons and stickers with their products as well as markets where the food is sold.
If his allegations are upheld by Chile's health ministry, the companies could be forced to remove the products or face fines.
"These businesses know that these foods damage the health of children and they know the law is in effect. They're using fraudulent and abusive methods. Burger King puts toys in its 'happy meals' and this is illegal; so is the unhappy little box of McDonald's," Gerardi said.
The Associated Press left messages seeking reaction with spokesmen for McDonald's Corp., Burger King Worldwide Inc. and KFC's owner, Yum Brands Inc.
An ordinance banning the use of toys in fast-food sales took effect in San Francisco last year, but a similar measure was defeated in New York. The experience of both U.S. cities helped Gerardi craft his "junk food law," his spokeswoman, Carol Bortnick, said.
Gerardi said he wrote the law because nearly a quarter of Chile's 6-year-olds suffer from childhood obesity.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
8/1/2012 3:08:11 PM (GMT -7:00)
Sen. Guido Gerardi filed a formal complaint Wednesday with the health authority accusing those and other companies of knowingly endangering the health of children by marketing kids' meals with toys more than a month after the law took effect June 7.
Gerardi said he's also targeting the makers of cereal, ice cream and other products that include toys, crayons and stickers with their products as well as markets where the food is sold.
If his allegations are upheld by Chile's health ministry, the companies could be forced to remove the products or face fines.
"These businesses know that these foods damage the health of children and they know the law is in effect. They're using fraudulent and abusive methods. Burger King puts toys in its 'happy meals' and this is illegal; so is the unhappy little box of McDonald's," Gerardi said.
The Associated Press left messages seeking reaction with spokesmen for McDonald's Corp., Burger King Worldwide Inc. and KFC's owner, Yum Brands Inc.
An ordinance banning the use of toys in fast-food sales took effect in San Francisco last year, but a similar measure was defeated in New York. The experience of both U.S. cities helped Gerardi craft his "junk food law," his spokeswoman, Carol Bortnick, said.
Gerardi said he wrote the law because nearly a quarter of Chile's 6-year-olds suffer from childhood obesity.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
8/1/2012 3:08:11 PM (GMT -7:00)
Who cares what Chile does.The Head line for KOMO should "How about that Chick Fil A"Â
san fransisco and new york are pathetic lets let the government control every aspect of our lives shall we. makes me sick
Obese children are not victims of McDonalds or Burger King. Parents are in total control of the child's diet until the child begins purchasing his or her own food.
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You want to punish someone for the obesity rate, target their god-awful parents.
 @saev I have to agree with you on this point. When I was a kid I got a happy meal as a reward for being good, not because I screamed my head off and throwing fits. I was an active child compared to the kids today who sit at their gaming consoles for days on end, another parental failing. Parents give in too easily on top of the governments who feel its their business how to discipline a child.
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I dont have a problem with parents having kids but be responsible for their development. Dont leave fast food stores, television and technology do the work you are suppose to be doing and then blame everyone else for the child getting fat, not getting through school or whatever.
What they are in total control of is a brat who screams because he wants an unhealthy meal solely based on the fact it comes with a toy.
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The fast food companies rely on this, of course. It's easier than providing nutritious food.
 @PilonidalCyst you think that its there fualt not the parents because of a toy
 @PilonidalCystÂ
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I must have missed the part where the parents lacked the power, authority, and duty to discipline their children for being brats.
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You, at the end of the day, are completely 100% responsible for the food you put into your child's stomach. If that level of responsibility is not something you're prepared to accept, you should've aborted or put it up for adoption.
You can't have a sugary drink in New York but you can have a toy in your happy meal.