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December 15th, 2010
02:04 PM ET
Woman sues McDonald's over Happy MealsA California woman is suing McDonald's claiming the fast-food giant uses toys to market directly to young children. Monet Parham, a Sacramento, California, mother of two small children filed the lawsuit Wednesday in San Francisco along with health, nutrition and food safety advocates Center for Science in the Public Interest . CSPI is seeking court approval to proceed as a class action. Parham, a 41-year old state employee, says her kids repeatedly ask for Happy Meals, mainly for the toys. "We have to say no to our kids so many times and McDonald's makes that so much harder to do. I object to the fact that McDonald's is getting into my kids' heads without my permission and actually changing what my kids want to eat." Michael Jacobson, CSPI's executive director accused McDonald's of "one of the most insidious marketing practices–dangling a toy in front of a small child." Jacobson called the practice "unfair, deceptive and illegal' in California and many other states. "The food industry has a responsibility not to intrude into families by using sleazy marketing techniques getting kids to pester their parents." Jacobson compared the tactics to tobacco companies marketing to kids with things like Joe Camel. "In this instance, McDonald's is worse. They are going straight at little kids. The company is using unfair techniques to persuade the kids to persuade the parents to go to McDonald's. Tobacco companies don't go after 3 year-olds. Neither does Coca Cola or Pepsi." In 2006, fast food companies spent over $520 million on advertising and toys to market kids meals. More than $350 million of that was for toys alone. Last month, The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that requires happy meals and other fast food offerings with toys meet new nutritional standards or be removed from menus. It goes into effect next December. McDonald's says it is proud of its Happy Meals and will vigorously defend the company's brand, its reputation and its food. "We stand on our 30-year track record of providing a fun experience for kids and families at McDonald's," said Bridget Coffing, a company spokesperson. "We listen to our customers, and parents consistently tell us they approve of our Happy Meals. We are confident that parents understand and appreciate that Happy Meals are a fun treat, with quality, right-sized food choices for their children that can fit into a balanced diet." This is not the first time CSPI has challenged fast food companies in court. In 2006 the organization went after Kellogg for marketing cereals loaded with sugar to children. In that case CSPI and Kellogg reached a settlement. CSPI also sued Kentucky Fried Chicken for frying its chicken in partially hydrogenated oil, which is high in trans fat. When KFC phased out the oil, CSPI dropped the lawsuit. soundoff (2,110 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Next »Leave a Reply to Sprinter Repair Shop Near Me
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Why sue McDonald's because of your lacking parenting skills, this doesn't surprise me it's in California after trying to ban guns what's next ban happy meal toys because they look like real guns... As long as Nancy Pelosi is in power besides guns lets now ban happy meals... what's next banning cars
About the woman parham sueing mcdonalds over their happy meal. Get a life, and get a brain. She obviously lacks any inteligence. Including any parenting skills. Advertising has always been with us in one media format, or another. It's always targeted both adults and/pr children. This is the way many businesses have always operated. She's too stupid to tell her children...."No!" I hate how disgusting morons like her will try sue for any reason, or excuse. Maybe we sould sue the potatochip industry for advertising their product to children. Maybe we should sue the grocerie storesfor displaying cnady and other goodies in their store out in the sight of children. Maybe we should sue a well know toy company for advertising a toy on teleivision where a child will see it. Then ask for, or want it. Especially during this time of year. "When your 2 children reach the legal age to drink." Suppose they see bottle of hard liquior, or beer and decide to go out and buy it, and consume it. I suppse you'd try lay a lawsuit against them too. She seems to be the type. Sue at the drop of a hat for free money. Besdies the dimwit should realize this. Even if she's fortunate to win a settlement. The dimwit lawyer she hired will get the majority of the settlement. No one can always sue major companys, corporations, and win. They always seem to have their own team of professional lawyers anyway. McDonalds could also keep this lawsuit going for so long. By the time they decide to settle, or a settlement is reached. Parham's children could be grown up and she could be deceased.
My kids and I don't even like McDonald's nasty-ass food. Given the choice, they would much rather eat at another, much more healthy, restaurant.
SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!? My 2 1/2 year old sees McDonalds and says "Apples, Mommy!" That's because when I've taken her to play in the indoor playground on a few cold days, she gets the Apple Dippers...and I don't give her the caramel dipping sauce, either. Parents have a say in the food choices their children are given...especially if they're young enough to still be begging for Happy Meals!!!
When is a class action suit going to be filed aganst Matel????? This how stupid the McDonalds Happy Meal suit is.
Wow, I was not aware that food stamps were valid at McDonald's..... hmmm......
Wow if she has to sue a major corporation in order to get her kids to leave her alone she has a problem. Just say no to your whiny kids and move on. Do something in place of the happy meal that has a positive outcome for both parties.
The mother needs to stand up to her kids and do her job and quit trying to get free easy money!
I am standing up to my kids.
Once when my daughter failed to clean up after her dog, I killed the dog in front of her while she watched. Now she takes much better care of her goldfish.
I'm doing the same with McDonald's. She didn't clean her room, so I am killing McDonald's. I'm not doing this for the money.
I have three kids, ages 8, 9, and 12. When they say "Happy Meal," they are referring to the TOY inside the meal, not the meal itself. Yes, we do occasionally stop at Mc. Donald's, and yes, we do occasionally get Happy Meals, but not nearly as often as they'd like. For us, Mc Donald's is Grandparent Fodder, and when we go as a family, they get apples and milk to go with their toy.
I agree with most of the commenters. It is the parent's responsibility to say no to your children when necessary. Then have the conversation about WHY you're saying no.
This would all be a lot easier if you all just do what I say.
I wish this lady could be sued by her kids for her lack of parenting skills.
Are you trying to tell my children to sue me? That's interference! I'm gonna sueeeee!
"The company is using unfair techniques to persuade the kids to persuade the parents to go to McDonald's."
The parent ALWAYS has the ability to say, "No," no matter how persistently their child "pesters" them. This woman is basically suing McD's because she's irritated at how much her kids annoy her. Uh, that's NOT McD's fault... it's how you are raising your kids.
I do agree that there should be a significant reduction in food marketing aimed at kids. In some European countries that sort of advertising is illegal. But ultimately, food choices are the parents' responsibility. If you don't want your kid eating McDonald's, then don't take them there. If you don't want your kid subsisting on tater tots and chicken dinosaurs, don't buy them. If all the TV ads oriented at kids bother you, get rid of cable. Trust me, you won't miss it.
And if you want your kids to LIKE eating fruits and veggies, then get them involved with cooking, and also help them grown their own little veggie gardens. Let them plant carrots and strawberries and lettuce and pumpkins they can carve for Halloween. When kids are involved in making their own food, they'll be more eager to try new things.
Learn to tell your kids no!!!!! I have 3 kids 21, 18, 15 and they know and knew what NO means. You must suck as a parent if you can't take the authorty roll that is needed to be a good parent. What you gonna do when your kids want to get the ceral box with all the sugar in it cause the toy inside they just have to have? SAY FLIPPIN NO!!!! Grow up people and take control of your parent roll and stop blaming everyones else.
why just sue mcdonald's why not go after all of the fast food places why not go after all the restaurants after all most of them entice kids with some kind of toy. You must not know how to read because you can choose things beside french fries & unhealthy foods for your child. If you don't want mcdonald's making up your kids mind then what are you doing eating at mcdonald's in the first place. Why don't we all go out and sue every company out there for putting commercials on television showing us all the new things they have enticing adults as well as kids. To the woman taking this action you are hurting your kids more than you love them because you are not teaching them to say no on their own & showing them it is ok to sue people when you don't get your own way. I say grow up mother.
The word is "NO".
How is it that you can be sued for making your product more desirable for your customers? Here's an idea, when your kids want McDonald's, tell them no. Don't worry, they wont become scarred for life and feel like you've neglected them, and putting up with their whining is part of your responsibility of being a parent.
Any time you bring your kid to a McDonald's to eat, it's your own fault. Quit trying to get rich quick by suing a company over something you did yourself.
And the funny part is, you can buy the damn toy separately, you don't even have to get any food from there. People are stupid.
Mrs. Parham, you are an idiot
I hope not only that McDonalds wins, but that they file a counter suit against CSPI.
OK, so universal agreement here that IT TAKES A VILLAGE IDIOT for something like this to go this far. But there's a reason why there are thousands of head cases out there (and not just in California), willing to do this kind of thing (abdicate parental responsibility). Please! Connect the dots!
This is why we need the death panel. To ensure that stupidity like this does not permeate the gene pool and just dies with this woman.
Hey can I sue this lady for being a bad parent and teaching kids bad life lesson..you know cause kids will not accept no for an answer. if only I could sue morons for being stupid. (man I be rich) if you don't like McDonalds putting toys in meals then Don't eat out make your own meals. if you don't like what a resterat has on the menu. go home and Make a Meal or fix it in advance. Turn of the TV and Do what your Supposed to do as a parent BE A PARENT. That means Fixing meals, Working, looking out for child molesters, Bad influences on your Child, Helping with homework, teaching the child proper society values ( you know don't steal, kill, sell drugs or don't do drugs as well as take pride in what you own) also teach a child what proper and at what age and for the love of god read the box of video games and know what the rating mean if your kid is under 16 odds are that an M rated game is not for them. and if you need it to cover half of the box to see it get glasses as you need them.
I straight up told my kids 5 years ago after I noticed my youngest was gaining weight and they started feeling stick after eating too much fast food, NO WE WILL NO LONGER GO TO MICKEY D'S, BK OR ANY OTHER FAST FOOD PLACE. And it was about the toy for them, so i purchased it separately. Yes, they go to McD's maybe once or twice a year, but now that they eat there they feel sick afterwards because they are not used to all the grease. My youngest is very prone to gaining weight when she eats too many processed foods that I do not monitor. So I as the parent have made the choice to make changes in her diet and SAYing NO and being honest with my kids telling them they will get FAT if they eat too much processed food or food with too much sugar. I know this works, because my in-laws who had my kids for a 2-week vacation over the summer one year and when I went to pick my kids up and noticed my daughter looked pudgy I put her on the scale and she gained 12 pounds because I was not there to monitor her diet. My in-laws are overweight and have since gotten medical help to lose weight, No surgery, just the old fashioned way and now they are getting healthier and see what eating correctly and exercising does for their bodies.
I must sound like psycho mom but I had to take a stand towards my kids because its my responsibility to keep my kids healthy not the restaurants out there. And society can be cruel so I don't want my daughter to be made fun of either. She knows when she eats too much because she cannot fit into her clothes. When my husband and I work too much and don't have time to cook, yes, it's easier to go out to eat, its fast, convenient, no need to clean up, but after doing this every week and my kids ordering soda with every meal, OH BOY, not good, you can see it add up and its a terrible thing to do to them.
After they turn 18 , off to college, and move out of the house, that is up to them, they are on their own. And I hope they will take what I teach them to heart. But if they want to eat poorly when they are on their own, then they have made that choice.
Is this lady going to sue Disney too? And Dreamworks? Steven Spielberg? These companies and their PR team hook up with the restaurants to sell and promote their animated characters for their movies coming up. So if this lady is sue happy, then she needs to go to the source, not mcdonalds or any other fast food restaurant.
I mean look what happened with cigarettes. WE all know they are bad for your health, but the farmers are still producing and no one is suing them, the cigarette companies got slapped with a minor lawsuit (that's my interpretation) because they are still being produced, and the health insurance companies are covering the issues of those that smoke. Even my kids ask why the government allows something to be produced that kills people. They say that if poison was in something it would be banned. I tell them I don't have an answer except, it all comes down to money and politics. Anyway, i got off the subject.
SO LADY WHO IS SUING MCDONALDS. GET A LIFE, BE A REAL PARENT, BE A BETTER EXAMPLE TO YOUR CHILD AND LOSE WEIGHT YOURSELF AND MOST OF ALL LEARN TO "JUST SAY NO".
I know McDonalds food is bad for my body. That's why I choose to not eat there more than a couple of per year. This lawsuit is absolutely rediculous. She has to say NO to her children? OH NO! How about, instead of suing McDonald's, you BE A PARENT and TEACH YOUR KIDS how to eat healthily instead of blaming their addiction on someone else!
This woman is ridiculous, she should sue all the sugary cereal companies that stick toys in their boxes that make kids want that cereal as well, or why not go after every company who includes incentives to attract children? Parents have been dealing with things like that for decades. Don't blame a corporation for your incompetence as a parent. When I was a child, everytime i went to a gas station with my mom, I begged for candy, but did she sue the gas station for having unhealthy snacks? No, she stood up to her 5 year old daughter (something too many parents these days aren't capable of) and told me I wasn't getting that candy. Yes, she will have to say "no" to her kids at sometime or another, she needs to get used to it. If she thinks that's bad, this woman will need a prayer for when her kids are teenagers.
Ok...I work for McDonalds and have a few things i'd like to point out here: 1. you CAN buy the toy separately... 2. We have healthy alternatives including apple juice, apples, and milk, the nuggets are actually fairly healthy because of the oil we cook them in 3. When I work cashiering, I have noticed kids pressuring parents, but McDonalds is usually a rare treat for them or the parent says no and the kid forgets 5 minutes later when they start playing in the playplace.... However, I have also noticed a lot of bad parenting...The parent says no...then gives in 5 minutes later...I guess my point here is: people really need to learn to be better parents...
Watch out CNN. I'm going to have to file a lawsuit against you because you have headlined this article in an attempt to intice me to voluntarily read it which in turn raises my blood pressure because of the rediculous waste of time, money and effort to adjudicate this inane claim. Obviously a marketing ploy on your part to increase your market share.
What an idiot
I agree with the people who think this lawsuit is ridiculous. Like, BIG DEAL that a parent has to say "no" to their kids! hahahahahahahaha! The solution is to sue? What about places like Disneyland or Disney World? Kids will beg and plead to go there, too. Parents cannot always say yes to that, so we should solve that problem by banning Disney parks? Oh but maybe they are okay because better food is served there. But the argument about having to repeatedly say no just doesn't hold water, no matter if there are toys or no toys. Parents are supposed to say no!
Lawsuits going out of control here.. she just want MONEY MONEY MONEY !
Although I don't eat fastfood, I don't think its fair for her to suck money out of McDonald; it is HER fault for bringing her children to McDonald.
Whats worst than McDonald in luring little children of toys and food ?? Take a big guess ----– its all those vendors at any typical CARNIVAL !!! they lure kids with games thats nearly impossible to win, and they lure children of their delicious smelling fatty food and ice cream.. for $$$ !
"Momma, may I have a happy meal?" "Well, ok – as long as you don't eat the food" – Several years (and many happy meals later); "Momma, May I join a gang?" "Well, OK – as long you stop them from Bangin" – "Momma, may I buy a piece?" – "Well, OK – as long as you don't purchase all the pieces" – "Momma, I've been given the death penalty for the execution style murder of two MacDonald employees – Will you have me cremated and my ashes placed in a Happy Meal Box?" .....
"NO!"
i agree with all those here who commented that there isn't anything wrong with saying no to your children. all of my children are now grown, my youngest is 23. but while they were little i really had no problem with saying no if i felt it warranted. i do feel that a diet from mickey d is not healthy. but that's where good parenting comes in. if you feel a certain food or foods are unhealthy for your child then just don't allow them to eat it that's all.
Can we sue these people for wasting our tax money with frivolous lawsuits? Now THAT is a worthy class action lawsuit.
another thing: as far as the hot coffee is concerned...well isn't hot coffee HOT? common sense says to be careful that's all! all of this is just plain ridiculous.
The sad reality is people with "common sense" don't end up on juries. These people file lawsuits because they have someone cheering them on! The article mentions the out of court settlements. That woman who was burned by the coffee got the award because a jury gave it to her. Same with the idiot who went to make himself a sandwich while his Winnibego was on cruise control. He won even though every person with common sense agreed he was an idiot. Lawyers fill civil juries with people who, if given a chance, would sue anyone in a heartbeat. Sometimes common sense doesn't feel so common!
there should be a law against some of the advertising practices of mcdonalds, however, tehyre not illegal at this time.
What is wrong with McDonalds advertising? They're not telling you that their food has 0 calories, no sugar, etc. All their food has the calorie and fat content on the package. It's YOUR responbility whether or not you chose to eat it.
This is crazy. What has this world come too? Sueing over toys in Happy Meals. Don't eat there, end of story. If she gets a cent, the judicial system is retarded and I think we all should get together and sue Walmart, Burger King, any kind of sugary company for dangling their products in my child's face. It amazes me the lengths people will go through to make money and not have to work anymore. Does she think McDonalds and other eateries will stop putting toys in happy meals? She's from California right? Enough said!
We all have to sue this lady for wasting our time !
I hope she knows you can buy the toys alone.
I Just purchased the Hello Kitty Watch for $2 and I wasn't forced to eat a Happy Meal.
omg how stupid!
Ok, I admit that an individual ungergoing a lawsuit against McDonalds sounds ridiculous, but I actually support what the CSPI is doing.
Yes, this lawsuit wil probably not go all the way to court, but it makes a strong statement. Look at the other examples of what CSPI has been able to accomplish that were mentioned in this article: "This is not the first time CSPI has challenged fast food companies in court. In 2006 the organization went after Kellogg for marketing cereals loaded with sugar to children. In that case CSPI and Kellogg reached a settlement. CSPI also sued Kentucky Fried Chicken for frying its chicken in partially hydrogenated oil, which is high in trans fat. When KFC phased out the oil, CSPI dropped the lawsuit."
I hope there will be a change in how McDonalds and other companies markets towards children!
So, I am in support of what CSPI and this concerned citizen are doing!
Did you know....
The estimated annual amount spent on food advertising aimed at U.S. children: $10 billion.
Meanwhile...
The budget for the "Five a Day" program, a federal educational program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption: $1.1 million.
With the nationwide childhood obesity epidemic, we (as a society) need to make some changes. If not, this quote from the New England Journal of Medicine may soon become true:
“Unless effective population-level interventions to reduce obesity are developed, the steady rise in life expectancy observed in the modern era may soon come to an end and the youth of today may, on average, live less healthy and possibly even shorter lives than their parents." (Olshansky SJ et al. NEJM 352;11:1138-45 17 Mar 2005)
I support any efforts anyone, as an individual or as a group, does to try to make a difference in this very serious problem!
-Pediatrician and Concerned Parent
Although I do understand your concern for obese children as a parent and pediatrician, I wondering just how did these children become so obese to begin with? You can not legitimately blame fast food restaurants or school districts. It IS the lazy parents who don't care. And as a thin female with thin children (despite how much I feed them), I'm so sick of hearing about obesity. Things I enjoy are being taken away from me b/c of all those fatties who can't control themselves. I'm so sick of "fat free" "no salt" etc on labels that I hate the grocery store. My family eats healthy and we play outside nightly without fail. Maybe if all those fatties actually did the same, they too could actually enjoy and cholestrol ridden, over salty burger with all the trimmings every once in a while. Just as obese people don't want to be called fat, I'm sick of being called skinny. So, I'll fix myself with my fat greasy burgers and those who are fat, DONT EAT THERE! Leave it for the skinnies. Off tangent a bit, but seriously, get off the obesity. The only ones to blame our themselves. AND I'M STUCK PAYING FOR IT! There goes my McDs burger tonight. Can't afford it!
My question is when are we going to sue grocery stores for having candy right by the check out lanes? When my children were little I had one who learned quickly if he stood on the opposite side of the cart than I was the aisle was too narrow for me to reach him and would set a candy bar by the check out clerk while I was unloading. He also quickly learned that when I found it while unpacking, no matter how he fussed, he was not getting it!! When are we going to stop placing blame on others for being too weak to say "Not today – no we're not stopping."? I hope the mother doesn't leave cookies out for Santa! Next lawsuit!! Santa too chubby to get up woman's chimney due to cookies left by tree – is filing for inability to work. Let's also go after carnivals and such that encourage pie eating, hot dog inhaling, etc. contests.
WAAAAHHH!! Mommy I want a happy meal!!!! Really Parham? Really? You're suing McDonalds' because your kids beg for their food? Put your "big girl" panties on and be a parent. It's like getting mad at someone for swearing in front of your children. You can't control what other people do, but you can turn what they do into a learning expeirience for your kids. Grow up.
I know that McDonald's have big sales, and we enjoy some item, but I can't understand why they put so much salt on everything.
We, my kids and me, eat at McDonald's probably 4 times a year. We will like to eat more often but for us, most item are "uneatable".
I'm in favor of what this mom is doing. The purpose of this action is to bring attention to this matter.
PLEASE McDONALD LISTEN. YOU ARE USING TO MUCH SALT!!!!! CUTTING ON THE AMOUNT OF SALT HAS TO REPRESENT SAVINGS FOR YOU TOO.
THE SCARY PART IS THAT McDONALD HAS PROFESSIONALS COOKS AND CHEFS AND STILL YOU CAN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DO IT FOR YOUR BUSINESS AND FOR OUR HEALTH.
OMG! All this energy wasted on this particular article? And I'm one to blame. But really? Look at how fat people are these days. Fat little kids with their playstations and game boys and cell phones. Hey parents, go outside and play with your kids. Make them healthy meals. Teach them manners. Tell them to mind their elders, especially their parents. Can't tell a child no? Are you kidding me? Last time I checked, I was the one paying, therefore, I make the rules. Weak parents with weak excuses because they themselves are too lazy too cook, too lazy too play, too lazy to pay attention. And then they turn around and sue McDonalds and everyone else because their kids are fat, lazy and have no manners or morals. Give me a break. As the mother of two, I enjoy taking them to McDonalds just to give them that special and rare treat and try to fatten them up. We run, we skateboard, we surf, we bike, we play football, and every other sport with a ball. Spend time with your kids and get to know them and maybe they won't try to use and abuse you parents because obviously those of you with this "Can't say no" issue is just that. Your own issue you created yourselves. Quit with these frivilous lawsuits, b/c right now I'd like to sue the idiot that even made the news with this to begin with, just for downright disgusting me. (And nowadays, I'd probably win) Ridiculous!!!!!!!!
JUST SAY NO! My mom had no problem telling me no when I was a child and I turned out decent. Dear Lord, No was a habitual word around the house...lol! I don't think any Judge in the Country should take action on this Silly Lawsuit because it's is totally silly. McDonald's isn't liable for what the kids want these days or anyone else for that matter. It's called Free Speech and Advertising!! If this goes through as a lawsuit, I think the rest of us should sue the auto industry because they are advertising vehicles that we can't afford and it is being really traumatizing. My goodness people! Give me a break! Find a job or find something else to do with your time, not just sit around and find things to complain about and find easier ways to make a buck. Get a life!! Spend time with the children that you are so trying to protect. Just think, if this goes through, what will our children think?
What's next? Suing Nestle for making chocolate because your little brats might want that too...
"We have to say no to our kids so many times..." The attorney should just walk into the courtroom with that quote and say she is suing McDonalds because she doesn't want to have to say no to her kids.... and that should be enough to have the case thrown out.
I am gonna sue the lottery people for making me waste money on useless tickets and almost driving me bankrupt. I think I have a great case here! lol!
This is getting ridiculous. She will get laughed out of court. You don't have to ask for a Happy Meal. You can order the same items directly from the dollar menu and not receive a toy. Your kids only expect a toy because of your ignorance in ordering the wrong way. You are the one who is conditioning their eating habits not McDonalds. You should never have taken them there in the first place. I should sue you for child abuse for making them eat that junk.
This is nothing but a ploy for CSPI & Michael Jacobson to make big bucks, He finds people to get the lawsuit started and knowing the company's pay before going to court, It's cheaper to settle for companys Companys don't care what is right or wrong, it's easier and cheaper. This won"t stop for companys until they quit being cowards and stand up for themselves.
My mother won't let me have a Happy Meal! She's 86. Anyone who lets their kids eat this stuff should be fined!
This may be the most ridiculous thing I've seen this year. I have a little guy who will be three in a couple months and he's at that age where he asks for just about everything he sees on tv, from happy meals to rocket ships, and the answer is 'No'. It's not the most fun word and yes, sometimes I don't *want* to say no to him, but I do. I'm his *Mother*. It's my job to say no to things that aren't healthy. I'm sorry this lady has such a hard time dealing with saying 'No, you can't have it' and sticking to it, but I'm awfully unimpressed that she wants to take the option of a special once in a while treat away from families who *can* put their feet down. The truly sad thing is that there's a history of stupid judicial rulings in the favor of people who like to eschew personal responsibility that may actually let this stupid case go somewhere.