Calling the practice “creepy and predatory,“ the activist group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is threatening to sue McDonald's for its Happy Meal promotions. “McDonald's is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children,“ says CSPI Litigation Director Stephen Gardner. “McDonald's use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity…to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health,“

Well, we must say that it's a pretty poor parent whose authority can be undercut with a cheapo trinket. And “induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health“? Like they need inducement? Ever see a kid attack a pile of Halloween candy?

Perhaps it's CSPI that needs to check its own “developmental immaturity“ if it thinks that comparing a restaurant promotion to “the stranger in the playground“ is a serious contribution to the national discussion on healthful eating.

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