Suing purveyors of junk food.

[Appleyard]

A GROUP of overweight Americans are suing four fast-food giants, accusing them of serving calorie-packed food that cause obesity.

The lawsuit states that McDonald's, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wendy's misled consumers by enticing them to eat meals containing unhealthy amounts of fat, salt and sugar.

One of the seven plaintiffs, 20-stone Caesar Barbar from the Bronx, said: 'The fast-food industry has wrecked my life. I was conned, I was fooled, I was tricked.
'I always thought it was good for you. I never thought there was anything wrong with it.'

In 1996 Barbar, who has had two heart attacks and suffers from diabetes, was warned by his doctor that his diet could kill him.

A number of fast food producers are helping to fund a £1.4 million campaign to get American children to eat more healthily. The companies are worried about a spate of health-related lawsuits similar to those brought against Philip Morris in 1998.

It is estimated around 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese, with more than 300,000 deaths each year being attributed to obesity-related illnesses. Obesity-related diseases account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in the US, and cost an estimated $117 billion (£73 billion) in healthcare every year.

[Joe Mama]

Cool, I should jump on board so I can get a bit of cash:D , but seriously, I don't think that this case will be as successful as the claims against the Tobacco Industry, simply because fast food isn't as addictive.

And since that no-one forced these people to go to Macca's or what have you, I don't think that Mr Barbar will win the millions of dollars he is craving for, but this is America and anything could happen.

[Jim Boy]

It should be an interesting case. I can't see the lack of addiction being issue though, simply because the fast food companies were continually (and still continuing) to really advertise heavily these products. It may come down to the question of do the fast food companies have a duty to make the consumer aware of the health risks associated with the consumption of their products, knowing as they did, that heavy consumption of their products is seriously detrimental to your health.

I tend to think that the companies will be found liable to a degree, although I's suggest that liability will be fairly limited. With any luck though the fast food outlets will have to adopt some sort of consumer advisory information with their products.

It's ironic really, if a food is healthy and good for you, you must adhere to a strict code of consumer information attached to your product, but if a food product is bad for you, well you can put sweet fa labelling on your product.

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Caesar Barber, 56, filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Bronx Supreme Court, naming McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

"They said `100 percent beef.' I thought that meant it was good for you," Barber told Newsday. "I thought the food was OK."

"Those people in the advertisements don't really tell you what's in the food," he said. "It's all fat, fat and more fat. Now I'm obese."

You idiot. :D
Got to wonder about some people don't you?

[Voice of Reason]

I don't particularly want to stick up for multinationals/purveyors of junk food, but to me this is just the sort of action that brings the American "justice" system into disrepute.

This guy is 56 (years not stone). He is responsible for his own actions. I hope he loses (but suspect some liability will be established).

I am happy for fast food companies to have to do some educational work to help their customers understand that 3 meals a day at Maccas isn't good for you. But frankly, they already do that a fair bit and my 10 year old knew fast food is bad for you 4 years ago.

We can't afford it. Because ultimately we all pay (through higher prices, higher insurance premiums etc).

I support the attempts made by legislation by the NSW Government to limit the quantum of damages payable and the costs chargeable by ambulance-chasing lawyers on certain personal injury cases for the same reason.

Society will bankrupt itself paying ignorant fatties to not take responsibility for their own actions.

[Briedis]

Seriously, when will Americans wake up and realise that the problems in their life are more often than not related to themselves and stop trying to pass the blame onto someone else.

Unfortunately, this disease of not being responsible for your actions will soon catch on here, if it hasn't already...

[TigerCraig]

I think that the government should just put a big advertisment on the front of every newspaper, and on all TV stations at the same time saying - "Anything non criminal that happens to you from now on is your own fault - get over it". Then insurance would be cheaper, and lawyers could go jump.

[Blue'n'Gold]

Maybe they could start a JFA (Junk Foods Anonymous) society while they are at it...

"Hi.. My name is BnG and I am a huge over-weight grease-eating pig... and its THEIR fault" :confused:

[Goldenblue]

Originally posted by Blue'n'Gold
Maybe they could start a JFA (Junk Foods Anonymous) society while they are at it...

"Hi.. My name is BnG and I am a huge over-weight grease-eating pig... and its THEIR fault" :confused:


You??? Fat???
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

You would snap in half in a strong wind baby.....:p

[Blue'n'Gold]

Originally posted by Goldenblue



You??? Fat???
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

You would snap in half in a strong wind baby.....:p

Shhhhh ! How can I join the "Prosper Ingeniously Group" PIG for short... when you undermine me like that??? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :p