SF to stop selling toys with fast food meals

SAN FRANCISCO, For years, fast food chains have included toys in their meals as a way to encourage parents to order them for their kids and what's inside hasn't always been healthy. San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar introduced an ordinance banning these toys in meals that exceed 600 calories and for him this is a health issue. "One in five people in the United States of America are obese and in the U.S about half of the population is now overweight and some studies say it's over two-thirds of the population of the U.S.," he said. The ordinance would also require more fruit and vegetables and once that happens, the toys could be reintroduced. There are 20 McDonald's restaurants in San Francisco -- 10 of the franchises are owned by Scott Rodrick who says there are other ways to tackle obesity. "The bigger issues like balanced lifestyles and improving school lunches in cafeterias and providing more after school athletic programs for kids," he said. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had said he would veto the measure and three board members sided with him. "To make these kinds of restrictions, I think we are overstepping our bounds and we have far more important things to be doing with our time than talking about happy meals," San Francisco Supervisor Sean Elsbernd said. The proposal needed eight supervisors to make it veto proof. At the last minute Supervisor Bevan Dufty gave his support. With that majority vote the ban will now go into effect in about a year, Dec. 1, 2011.