House of Representatives protects fast-food chains

Main Category: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 11 Mar 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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By 276 to 139, the US House of Representative approved a bill banning lawsuits by obese customers of fast-food restaurants. These obese customers wanted to say that they became overweight because of these food chains.

The bill was passed on Wednesday.

The Republicans wanted to reform America's civil liability laws, many called them frivolous lawsuits.

The author of the bill, Ric Keller (Republican, Florida) had said 'Trial lawyers have targeted the fast-food industry as the next big tobacco by bringing these insane lawsuits. We've got to get back to those old-fashioned principles of personal responsibility, of common sense, and get away from this new culture where everybody plays the victim and blames other people for their problems.'

Most of the votes against the bill were from Democrats. Some Democrats said that if the current laws are frivolous the courts would throw the cases out anyway.

The fast food restaurants have been facing higher insurance costs because of potential liability.

If one of the lawsuits had been successful, it would have been devastating for the fast food chains.

Some Democrats fear that this new law will give fast food chains a free reign, as they will be exempt from negligence.

The fast food restaurants are coming under increasing criticism as America's obesity problem grows. In fact, McDonald's says it is going to do away with its super sized meals.

America's Health Secretary said a couple of days ago that obesity is overtaking smoking as America's number one killer.

As a parent myself, I have found fast food advertising aimed at small kids an enormous problem. Your child has to deal with a barrage of adverts, lots of gimmicks and toys that come with the junk food, peer pressure from other kids and a desire to try new things out. It is a never ending battle. The advertisers know their ads work on the kids, otherwise they would not spend vast sums of money on them. At the moment there is an ad that appears all day long (I live in the UK) - It offers children a pizza, plus a large chocolate cookie smothered in smarties and a large coke. There is a healthy looking family having fun in the ad. I decided to take a stand. We will not go to that restaurant until they advertise a balance of healthy options. I would be interested in hearing from nutritionists - what would be the nutritional content of a pizza, a large chocolate cookie smothered in smarties and a coke? What is the balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats (saturated or mono-unsaturated), fiber (fibre).

Written by Christian Nordqvist, Editor of Medical News Today

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