Jack in the Box Nixes Toys

The fast-food chain will no longer include toys in its children's meals.

June 22, 2011

LOS ANGELES - Jack in the Box is no longer offering toys with kids€™ meals, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The fifth-largest burger chain is putting up signs to notify customers of the change. Jack in the Box also announced that customers have the option of apple bits with caramel instead of French fries with children€™s meals. The apple side dish is one healthy option for children that the chain offers, said Tracy Dunn, director of marketing and promotions.

"Jack in the Box offers a lot of variety with our Kid's Combos, from grilled or crispy chicken strips, a grilled cheese sandwich and hamburger to low-fat milk, juice and fountain beverages," said Dunn.

The change comes as health advocates across the country are clamoring for quick-service restaurants to not have toys associated with children€™s meals. In March, a Florida Senate committee approved a measure that would forbid localities from passing anti-toy laws.

Santa Clara and San Francisco passed laws that ban restaurants from giving away toys with children€™s meals that have a certain amount of calories, fat, salt and sugar. Groups like Corporate Accountability International continue to push cities and states to enact toy bans. Corporate Accountability International spokesman Nick Guroff said his organization has asked McDonald€™s many times to halt promotions aimed at kids.

"[The Jack in the Box announcement is] certainly a sign that McDonald€™s competitors see a market opportunity in differentiating from the industry leader and that campaigning by health advocates is changing the marketing landscape for the industry at large," said Guroff.

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