Do you eat fast food? You must. According to the House of
Representatives, the fast food industry is a significant part of
our national economy. It did not become that way be having few
customers. Many independent researches have found that fast food
is unhealthy and causes weight gain. This research suggests
there is something "faulty" with fast food. Our nation is
becoming more obese by the day and many obese people are
attributing their weight gain to fast food consumption.
In the documentary Super Size Me, it was proved that eating fast
food promotes poor health and weight gain--even without over
eating. In response to this "faulty" product, some are turning
to the legal system for justice. However, a cleverly devised
bill was created called the "Personal Responsibility in Food
Consumption Act of 2005." This bill was sent to the house (H.R.
554) and on October 21, 2005 is passed by a vote of 306 to 120.
The bill is now in front of the Senate, where it is expected to
pass.
The House of Representatives, in this case, found the following:
1. The food and beverage industries are a significant part of
our national economy. 2. The activities of the manufacturers and
sellers of food and beverages substantially affect interstate
and foreign commerce. 3. A person's weight gain, obesity or a
health condition associated with a person's weight gain or
obesity is based on a multitude of factors, including genetic
factors and the lifestyle and physical fitness decisions. 4.
Fostering a culture of acceptance of personal responsibility is
one of the most important ways to promote a healthier society,
lawsuits seeking to blame individual food and beverage providers
for a person's weight gain, obesity or health condition are
legally frivolous and economically damaging. 5. The American
food industry is the nation's leading private sector employer.
If you notice in the above findings, the basis of this
soon-to-be law is economically motivated and not devised for the
betterment of a healthier society. In their purpose and summary
statement, the House of Representatives basically said that fast
food establishments should not be held liable for the damage
their products cause due to "over-consumption." What is
interesting is that these fast food companies have never, to my
knowledge, defined what "proper-consumption" is. How can you
have over-consumption when you have not defined what
proper-consumption is?
If a typical American simply eats his or her regular three meals
a day at a food establishment and his or her health deteriorates
as a result, shouldn't that establish be held responsible for
serving a "faulty" product? H.R. 554 is an attempt to remove the
liability of food providers and silence the legal resource by
consumers. The next time you walk into a fast food
establishment, see if you can located the "proper-consumption"
documentation.
About the author:
Jason A. Martin is a Journalism Major (Political Science minor)
and future law school student. His blog deals with
Politics, Media and the
Law. You can view it at JasonAMartin.com.
