House approves bill preventing obesity suits against fast food companies

Food & Drink Weekly, May 30, 2005

The House Judiciary Committee approved Congressman Ric Keller's Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (H.R. 554). The bill, which was passed by the full House of Representatives last year, will prevent overweight individuals from bringing obesity lawsuits against fast food companies. "To fight obesity, we should use commonsense in the food court instead of blaming others in legal court," Keller said. The Committee passed the bill on a 16 to 8 vote. It will be considered on the House floor in the coming months.

The Judiciary Committee also approved Keller's "three-strikes-and-you're-out" amendment to the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act. Keller's amendment adds teeth to the tort reform bill by suspending lawyers who bring three frivolous lawsuits to a district court from bringing another case to that court for one year. "The 'three-strikes-and-you're-out' concept to crack down on frivolous lawsuits is a common sense, bi-partisan idea," Keller said. "Three-strikes-and-you're-out" plans have been supported by President George W. Bush, former Senator John Edwards, and Senator John Kerry.

In related obesity news, a Connecticut school nutrition bill banning junk food and soda in schools was given final legislative approval May 25. The bill passed by a veto-proof margin of 25-11 in the Senate, but not the House. Lawmakers have not said if they would attempt to override a veto. The soda ban would go into effect July 1.

Schools have expressed concerns about losing profits, though the bill would allow soda and junk food snacks to be sold after school hours at school-sponsored events, like football games. Soft drink companies lobbied fiercely against the bill. Proponents said that taking sugary soda and junk food away would teach students about good nutrition choices.