For Calif. Kids’ Meals, Straws Upon Request
State bans automatic distribution of single-use plastic straws in restaurants and limits kids’ meal companion drinks to water or milk.
Sep 24, 2018 | 2 min read
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After Jan. 1, 2019, kids’ meals in California must conform to certain regulations that were signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown last week, according to a report from VOA News.
Anyone ordering a kids’ meal in a restaurant and wanting a single-use plastic straw must request the straw. It will not be automatically presented with the meal. In addition, milk or water must be the default beverage sold with kids’ meals at fast-food and full-service restaurants.
The laws do not actually ban straws or forbid youngsters from having sugary drinks with their food. Supporters of the straw policy call it a small step toward reducing ocean pollution, and those who favor the kids’ meal drink option believe it will help combat diabetes and obesity. Others say the restrictions go too far.
Any California restaurant that fails to comply with the straw law will receive two warnings before being fined up to $300. This law applies only to restaurants where customers are waited on by restaurant staff and does not impact fast-food operators.
The kids’ drink law will let restaurants and fast-food chains sell soda or juice to children, but only milk, a non-dairy milk alternative or water (sparkling, still or flavored) can be included as a default drink with a kids’ meal and advertised on the menu.
