SF Mayor Vetoes Fast Food Toy Ban

SAN FRANCISCOSan Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Nov. 12 vetoed the legislation recently approved by the Board of Supervisors that effectively bans inclusion of toys in kids meals sold in fast-food restaurants unless they meet a strict set of nutritional standards of reduced calories, salt, fat and sugar, and also contain fruits and vegetables.

We must continue pursuing real strategies against childhood obesity, but this legislation takes an intrusive and ineffective approach. Parents, not politicians, should decide what their children eat, especially when it comes to spending their own money," Newsom said. Despite its good intentions, I cannot support this unwise and unprecedented governmental intrusion into parental responsibilities and private choices."

However, the ultimate decision falls on the board of supervisors who approved the measure by a vote of 8-3. Unless a number of supervisors change their mind, it's likely the veto is all for nothing because  the board has enough votes to override the veto.

Newsom also released the year end The Mayors Challenge: Shape Up San Francisco report that highlighted the citys comprehensive efforts to improve health and wellness and combat childhood obesity.

Shape Up SF was created out of several different initiatives working to address childhood obesity, chronic disease and create healthy environments. In San Francisco, the annual costs of physical inactivity leading to chronic disease are substantial and have been estimated to be over $1 billion. Since the launch of Shape Up San Francisco in April 2006, thousands of San Francisco residents have had increased access to healthier foods and more opportunities to get physical activity in safe, fun and unique settings. Good nutrition and regular physical activity are key ingredients to improving the health and well being.

Under the umbrella of Shape Up SF to comprehensively address childhood obesity, San Francisco has received funding from the California Obesity Prevention Program to increase physical activity for SFUSD students, put gardens in our schools, initiated the Safe Routes to School program to gets thousands of kids to walk and bike to school and get some physical activity, the Drink Water Said the Otter" and other public education campaigns teach kids about making healthy choices, and many other initiatives which are all detailed in the year-end report.