A few weeks ago, a California county was the first in the nation to prohibit toys from the Happy Meals sold by McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD). Now a public health watchdog group has put pressure on the fast food chain to completely eliminate toys and play items from its Happy Meal packaging because they say it is promoting the obesity epidemic in children.

The group alleges that promotional toys are what bring kids into the fast food restaurant. Once there, they are ordering unhealthy foods that contain too many calories, fat, and sodium which contributes to obesity in childhood. The group, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, sent a letter to the restaurant chain declaring their intention to bring a lawsuit against McDonald’s if no action was taken to remove the toys. Such a letter is legally required in several states before the actual lawsuit can be brought under consumer protection statutes.

In April of this year, Santa Clara County, California supervisors voted to ban fast food meal toys that were being sold in unincorporated parts of the country. The restaurant chains had 90 days to comply voluntarily before the county ordinance went into effect.

McDonald’s has disputed the theory and stated their Happy Meals are sized right for kids and that they have added many healthy options including Apple Dippers, milk, and juice to their menu options since 2008. Nutrition-wise, McDonald’s has received praise for their menu changes but there are still those like the advocacy group who feel promotional toys ‘undercut parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental immaturity.’ They feel that promoting toys to children promotes obesity because unhealthy foods are ‘more desirable’ to children. The food industry has spoken out to say that healthier food choices are widely available to kids and that parents should be urged to be responsible for the foods kids order and consume.