The War on Toys

Happy Meal hysteria

Happy Meals are about to get a little less cheerful in the Silicon Valley. Citing health concerns, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has voted to ban toys from any meal of more than 485 calories. The ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, also forbids restaurants to give away a toy with any meal that includes more than 600 milligrams of salt.

"This ordinance prevents restaurants from preying on children's love of toys," Ken Yeager, the county supervisor who came up with the idea, explained to the Los Angeles Times. The law passed in April but did not go into effect until July, adding some extra urgency to the traditional Happy Meal ad line: "Collect 'em all today!"