For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren introduced legislation Monday night to prevent people from bringing obesity lawsuits against fast food companies, restaurants, supermarkets and grocery manufacturers.  H.R. 2183, the Commonsense Consumption Act of 2007, addresses the abusive lawsuits that seek to blame the food industry for individual eating habits.

 

“Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in this country,” Boren said. “But that’s not the fault of restaurants.  We should be teaching our children about personal responsibility and that decisions have consequences rather than showing them how to play the blame game.”

 

H.R. 2183 would not interfere with states’ rights to enforce their own laws, and does not change existing state tort law.  Legitimate claims against false or misleading labels or misbranding would not be impacted, nor would lawsuits against foods that do not meet health and safety requirements.

 

“Obesity and weight gain can only be addressed with diet and exercise,” Boren said.  “A lawsuit has never made anyone healthier.  We could really make some headway with fighting obesity in this country if more people would apply some commonsense to their eating habits.”

 

H.R. 2183 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee and a companion bill, S. 1323, was introduced in the U.S. Senate.  The House passed similar legislation in the 109^th Congress with broad bipartisan support.

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