A US consumer group has accused McDonald’s of “unfairly and deceptively” using Happy Meal toys to lure children into restaurants. The Center for Science in the Public Interest signalled that it would sue the fast food giant if it did not stop the practice within 30 days. The group accused McDonald’s of using “unfair and deceptive” marketing practices, which it claims violate consumer protection laws in the states of Massachusetts, Texas, California, New Jersey, and the Washington federal district.
The group’s litigation director Stephen Gardner said: “McDonald’s is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children. It’s a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction.
“McDonald’s marketing has the effect of conscripting America’s children into an unpaid drone army of word-of-mouth marketers, causing them to nag their parents to bring them to McDonald’s.”
The group has filed dozens of lawsuits against food companies in recent years. In 2006 a lawsuit against Kellogg prompted the company to agree to a settlement raising the nutritional value of cereals and snacks it markets to children.
McDonald’s Vice President of Communications, William Whitman, said the company “couldn’t disagree more” with the assertion that their toys violate any laws.
He said: “We are proud of our Happy Meal which gives our customers wholesome food and toys of the highest quality and safety. Getting a toy is just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald’s.”
The latest Happy Meal promotion is a tie-in with the popular film “Shrek Forever After.” The meals include toy watches fashioned after the movie’s characters Shrek, Donkey, Gingy and Puss in Boots.
Politicans in California’s Silicon Valley have already passed a law that prevents restaurants from giving away free toys and other incentives with unhealthy meals for children.
Under that law restaurants are only allowed to give away toys with meals that meet a nutritional standard.
What do you think?