California Legislators Could Restrict Kids’ Meals

Proposed bill would make California the first U.S. state to regulate restaurant meals for youngsters.

June 25, 2018

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California legislators are considering a proposed bill that would require restaurants selling “kid’s meals” to offer only water or milk with the order, according to the San Jose Mercury News. This means soda, juice and chocolate milk would not be offered. 

Sugary sodas and other beverages would still be available at no extra cost, but only upon request. If the law passes, these drinks could not be advertised alongside kids’ meals or offered as a default option. Foodservice employees would be limited to asking kids’ meal customers if they want water, milk or a nondairy substitute, such as almond milk, with their order.  

According to Public Health Advocates, a sponsor of the bill, children frequently consume extra calories from soda and other sugary drinks, which puts them at greater risk for obesity, tooth decay and Type 2 diabetes. Organization members hope the law will be passed, resulting in a long-term, behavioral shift for young diners.

California Sen. Bill Monning, a Carmel Democrat who has introduced various anti-sugar bills, said the law would give families a healthy choice but does not prohibit them from ordering a sugary soda if they choose. The bill has passed the Senate with bipartisan support and cleared the Assembly Health Committee without opposition.

Already, some QSRs voluntarily have taken steps to cut down on sugar in kids’ meals. McDonald’s stopped advertising Happy Meals with soda in 2013 and has removed chocolate milk as a default beverage, though the beverage is still available upon request. Now meals are advertised with plain low-fat milk or an apple juice drink that features half the sugar of 100% apple juice.

Opponents of the legislation say parents should be the ones to make decisions about what their kids eat and believe the bill still raises questions about how much government is too much.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement