Anti-Obesity Lawsuit Bill Proposed

WASHINGTON - Jan 28/04 - SNS -- The U.S. based National Food Processors Association (NFPA) is pleased with a proposed bill which would protect the food industry from being liable if people become obese.

The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act was approved for introduction by the House Judiciary Committee. A separate, but similar bill has also been introduced in the Senate.

John R. Cady, NFPA President, says, "This bill will protect the food industry from liability claims that food products are responsible for causing weight gain or obesity in consumers. It is a timely and needed response to the threat of lawsuits seeking to pin the responsibility for obesity in this country on the food industry. Lawsuits against food companies are absolutely the wrong way to address the issue of obesity.

"The U.S. government has stated that obesity has become a serious national health issue, affecting both adults and children. The food industry strongly believes that more energy must be put into solving the problem of obesity, and less into assigning blame for the purpose of collecting legal fees.

"We need to start helping consumers understand how they can balance their food choices in order to create a healthful diet. We also must help them to understand that a lack of physical activity in the lives of many Americans - adults and children - is having a serious negative impact on their health."

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