Through direct lobbying and influence from trade groups, the world's junk food oligopolies are once again using their economic and political power to make health policy, both in the United States and in the United Nations. Whatever the concerns about the "globesity" epidemic spreading from the US to the rest of the world, the food industry is making sure that it won't be hindered by any new laws, guidelines, or lawsuits. The US House of Representatives just passed a law ("The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act", but nicknamed the Cheeseburger law) that would protect companies that sell junk food (McDonalds, Burger King, and so on) from obesity lawsuits. A few of these lawsuits have been much in the news lately, using the much-derided argument that "the company made me eat it" through its marketing campaign and pricing policies. While judges have quickly thrown out the few such lawsuits that have come to them, the food companies and the beneficiaries of their campaign funds in the legislature rammed through the bill, supported by the White House. (It still has to pass the Senate, which is considered unlikely.) Its odd that now that the smoking war is more or less settled, the fat police have picked up the torch. No one eats junk food because it is healthy. Fat food, cigarettes and drugs are all about a dopamine fix. The damage that occurs is largely the fault of the abuser. Oligopoly Watch |
