Amid efforts to encourage healthy eating, the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) is mulling legislation that would only allow fast food restaurants to give away toys with kids’ meals when a salad is included in the meal.
The commission intends to team up with the Department of Health to devise ways to require fast food restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Burger King — which often give away toys with their kids’ meals — to give away toys only if healthy side dishes are included in the order.
“Children make less informed choices than adults when it comes to choosing what to eat and are more vulnerable than adults to promotions like toy giveaways,” said Liu Chin-fang (劉清芳), head of the commission’s Department of Supervision and Coordination.
The commission said it plans to target meals that can lead to weight problems and obesity and that it has invited experts and department officials to define junk food as foods which are high in fat, but have little or no nutritional value.
Not all foods that are high in fat, such as cheese, are harmful to a person’s health if consumed in moderation, Liu said with regard to the need for a clear definition.
The commission said a lack of exercise and over-consumption of junk food were the leading causes of weight-related problems.
The latest statistics by the department showed that almost half, or 44 percent, of the adult population is overweight or obese. By gender, this phenomenon affects 51 percent of men and 37 percent of women, while every one in four children is above their ideal weight.
The commission said efforts to curb the consumption of fatty foods, especially among children, were gaining the attention of governments worldwide.
Two months ago, in measures that are similar to what the commission is proposing for the nation, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed laws requiring that restaurant kids’ meals meet certain nutritional standards before they could be sold with toys. Furthermore, the law would only allow toys to be given away with kids’ meals if they have less than 600 calories, contain fruit and vegetables and include beverages without excessive fat or sugar.
The commission said it was also considering limiting TV commercials that advertised junk food to time slots when children are less likely to be watching TV.
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