Happy Meals lawsuit: Consumer group sues McDonald's over toys
A consumer group is suing McDonald's, claiming that Happy Meals toys induce children to make unhealthy eating decisions.
This Nov. 8 file photo shows a Happy Meal at a McDonald's restaurant in San Francisco. In the foreground is a toy included with the meal: a character from the movie 'Megamind.' San Francisco was the first major American city to require meals meet nutritional standards before they can offer toys.
Eric Risberg / AP / File
PORTLAND, Oregon
A California mother and The Center for Science in the Public Interest have sued McDonald's Corp. trying to get the fast-food chain to stop using toys to market meals to young children.
The lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court in San Francisco on Wednesday morning.
They claim McDonald's decision to markets its meals directly to young children violates several consumer protection laws because it exploits a child's vulnerability.
McDonald's is facing increased scrutiny for the practice. San Francisco recently became the first city to prohibit fast-food restaurants from including toys with children's meals that don't meet nutritional guidelines. A similar ordinance was passed in Santa Clara County.