Thaindian News

June 23, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The fast food chain McDonald’s has fallen under its own trap. The restaurant was giving Happy Meal toys to their customers as part of their promotional strategy. But the offer has gone against them as a consumer group has alleged McDonald’s for using Happy Meal toys to tempt the kids into their restaurants.

They termed it as an ‘unfair and deceptive’ way to lure the children. Moreover, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has indicated that it would take legal action against the fast food restaurant if the offer is not stopped within 30 days.

The consumer group claims that McDonald’s is violating the consumer protection laws in the states of Texas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California and Washington federal district.

Stephen Gardner, the litigation director of the group, said, “The marketing tool of McDonald’s has used the American children as the unpaid marketers, who are promoting through word-of-mouth. They are also the using the children to nag their parents to take them to McDonald’s.”

In recent years, the consumer group has many lawsuits against food companies. The Kellogg brand had to increase the nutritional value of the cereals and snacks for the children after the group filed a lawsuit in 2006.

William Whitman, the Vice President of Communications of McDonald’s, said, “We are proud that our Happy Meal provides wholesome food as well as toys of the highest quality and safety to our customers. The toys are just a part of the Happy Meal experience with the family.”

McDonald’s has tied up with the popular film Shrek Forever After to promote the Happy Meal. The movie’s characters Shrek, Gingy, Donkey and Puss in Boots, toy watches are offered with the Happy Meal.

There is already a law passed in California’s Silicon Valley, which bars the restaurants to offer free toys with unhealthy meals for children.