NYC mayoral candidate proposes strict kids’ meal standards

The Happy Meal may not be smiling for long.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn announced yesterday that she’d impose strict nutritional standards for kids meals at McDonald’s and other chain restaurants if she becomes mayor next year.

“You’ll still be able to order whatever you think is right for your children. But we’re saying that companies can’t spend millions of dollars on marketing or include items on children’s menus if those foods clearly are going to lead to obesity,” Quinn declared at the Union Square green market.

Out-nannying Mayor Bloomberg, Quinn demanded that children’s meals meet the same federal standards as lunches served in elementary schools: no more than 650 calories, 7 grams of saturated fat and 740 milligrams of sodium.

That could sound the death knell for McDonald’s cheeseburger Happy Meal, which packs 875 milligrams of sodium.

Another quick casualty would be Applebee’s grilled cheese kid’s meal with fries, which Quinn said has 1,210 calories, 2,340 milligrams of sodium and 21 grams of saturated fat.

An Applebee’s spokesman pointed out that the chain offers much healthier alternatives, such as its grilled-chicken sandwich with a side of steamed broccoli and apple or grape juice that totals only 355 calories, with 1.5 grams of saturated fat and 600 milligrams of sodium.

If she makes it to the Mayor’s Office, Quinn said she would either pursue the sweeping changes through legislation or through rules adopted by the Board of Health, which is controlled by City Hall.

Quinn didn’t rule out passing legislation this year while she still controls the council.

Ironically, Quinn opposes Bloomberg’s plan to ban the sale of large-size sodas, claiming that was punitive.

The new regs would apply to restaurants that have at least 15 locations here and already post calorie counts.

Andrew Moesel, spokesman for the state restaurant association, called on Quinn not to interfere in consumer choices.