Florida Moves To Block Bans On Fast-Food Toy Giveaways -Report

A committee in Florida's state Senate on Wednesday passed a measure aimed at preventing local governments from enacting bans on toy giveaways by fast-food restaurants, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

The Senate commerce and tourism committee voted 5-1 in favor of a bill containing the provision, which had been added late and without debate. It calls for blocking any local regulation of "matters related to the nutritional content and marketing of foods offered in such establishments."

The language had been requested by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, whose 10,000 members include fast-food giants McDonald's Corp. (MCD), Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) and others.

Richard Turner, a lobbyist for the trade group, told the newspaper after Wednesday's vote that restaurants want to pre-empt local laws such as those that have begun cropping up in California that ban fast-food outlets from distributing toys with meals and other high-calorie offerings aimed at children.

Full story at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/health/os-xgr-fast-food-toy-giveaways-20110309,0,4147260.story

-Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2900