McDonald's Sidesteps SF Happy Meal Ban

San Francisco's Happy Meal ban kicks in tomorrow, but McDonald's has found a very simple way to dodge it. The law bans restaurants from including a toy with a meal if that meal doesn't comply with the city's nutritional guidelines. So McDonald's is selling Happy Meals without toys—and selling the toys as an add-on for an extra 10 cents.

Before the ban, McDonald's customers could buy the toy for $2.18 without having to buy a Happy Meal. That option no longer exists: Parents must buy the Happy Meal to access the 10-cent toy option. That means San Francisco's law is likely to result in the sale of more unhealthy children's meals—and make more money for McDonald's, SF Weekly notes. The extra 10 cents will go to Ronald McDonald House charities. (More Happy Meal stories.)