Bill Filed in Congress to Protect Food Companies From Obesity Lawsuits

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would protect food manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits seeking to hold them liable for an obesity crisis in the United States.

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the second-rankinging Republican in the Senate, sponsored the "Commonsense Consumption Act" that would prohibit lawsuits in which the plaintiffs claim food companies and restaurants have made them overweight or obese.

The bill does not preclude lawsuits claiming false advertising or injuries from food consumption.

"This bill does not outlaw any of the traditional litigation nor does it immunize the food industry," McConnell said. "But what it does do is nip in the bud this absurd new predatory practice" of filing class-action lawsuits against the food industry

"It is important not to blame poor eating habits on someone else," said McConnell. "It's certainly not the restaurant's fault if you go back to the buffet bar three times."

A bill introduced earlier this summer in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Ric Keller, R-FL, would provide the food industry with even broader protections.

Other sources: U.S. Congress