Amidst the election news after Tuesday’s final day of voting, San Francisco passed a law that states that restaurants cannot offer toys to children if their meals contain too much fat and sugar. In addition, those restaurants that serve meals like burgers and French fries must provide fruits and vegetables. Enacting legislation that protects children from obesity issues is the first step in the right direction towards a healthy society.

Obesity is an epidemic that is hitting people of all ages. It is sobering awakening when the percentage of obese children entering the public school system has increased by over 15 percent over the years. Obesity is a serious health risk that increases other risks such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Public education provided lunch meals have been under scrutiny for many years. Many investigations have cited schools that make it hard for children to find healthy eating options during lunch. This is attributed to the budgeting allowance of cafeteria food.

The law is scheduled to become active in December of this year. The law states that meals containing more than 600 calories cannot include a toy. This is a crushing blow to McDonalds, a popular fast food establishment that sells the popular “Happy Meal” advertised towards children. Happy meals have been a staple of family road trips and weekend soccer matches. McDonalds has come under scrutiny with documentary films such as “Supersize Me.” In the documentary, McDonalds was portrayed as an evil establishment that purposefully targets children. McDonalds uses clowns, bright colorful containers, and toys to mask the fat and high sodium food that is fed to children. In this busy society, family dinner times can be spent with a fast food meal in a car on the way to a children’s function.

In a way, the people of San Francisco have voted their voice to reclaim family time and limit the tactics of fast food establishments such as McDonalds. Mayor Gavin Newsome of San Francisco has vowed to veto the law, but the law has been passed with a veto-proof margin of 8-3. Hopefully, the rest of the nation will see the benefits of the law on the children of San Francisco and enact similar legislation in their city.