Why are Americans so quick to invoke the concept of personal responsibility when it comes to people and so quick to absolve corporations of all ethical obligations? (Even as our Supreme Court has ruled that corporations should have the rights of citizens. What about the obligations?)
I think it's fine to talk about personal responsibility when it comes to adults, and, no, I wouldn't prevent adults who want to eat at McD's from doing so.
But Happy Meals are directed toward children and most of our laws acknowledge that children are less able to make responsible decisions. If their parents are making bad choices on the behalf of children, it isn't enough to shrug and invoke the sacred words "personal responsibility." A study wouldn't in and of itself stop anyone from living on French fries and milk shakes, but it might serve to spread the word of just how bad a steady diet of McD's can be.
We all (including McD's) have an obligation toward the world's children. And a study might help to further publicize the dangers of Happy Meals as a steady diet. Teaching children that meal time is an "entertainment" or "play" period has ramifications that go far beyond the dangers of eating Big Macs; it can influence diet choices for life.
Just to be clear: I'm not a snob about fast food, though nowadays I tend more toward Subway. And I grew up eating at BK and McD's, too, though fast food was a once-a-week treat, not a staple in our diets.
The decision to refuse to study the issue should be bad p.r. for McD's. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that decision will only affect those of us who already limit our Big Macs and McFlurries.
The thing is, picking on McDonald's is like making you take off your shoes at the airport. It makes you feel like you're doing something when, in fact, it is solving not one bit of the problem while throwing money at it.
I've recently taken up the weight loss challenge (again!) so I am looking up nutritional information on EVERYTHING right now. What makes McDonald's so much worse than the Jason's Deli? JD has lots of fresh options, beautiful salads, soups made in the store...and kids' meals. With, I think, a toy. Or something. And if you look up the information, there are choices that are better than others, and some that are downright dreadful.
On the "adult" menus, I've been disappointed once again to find that much of the food that is labeled "healthy" is really no better for you in regards to calories, fat, sugar, salt, etc. than eating a Big Mac. One of my favorite salads (for all the times I was being "good") has more than 29 grams of fat and a boatload of sugar.
What is a study going to do? You might penalize the fast food chains, but what about regular restaurants? What about the grocery store, as a previous poster mentioned? Are birthday cakes going to be studied and banned? Limited to once a year for yourself?
I don't think the study is a bad idea, I just don't think we should fool ourselves into thinking that it will change the free market or human beings' stupidity and urge to kill ourselves with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, food, and irresponsible behavior.
