Lawyers See Potential in Obesity Suits Against Food Companies
The New York Times on Friday examined lawyers who are shifting from filing public health lawsuits against "big tobacco" companies to those against "big food" companies. Lawyers for both food companies and consumers "see broad potential" for a "new wave of food fights," which could include litigation addressing the way sugary and fatty foods are marketed to children, "deceptive labeling" and misleading advertisements, the Times reports. According to the Times, lawyers have filed 10 "prominent cases" against food companies, including McDonald's and Kraft, and have won some settlements already. Some experts say that the potential for lawsuits might "be enough to prompt healthy changes from the food industry," the Times reports. However, food companies say that recent changes, including healthier food choices in restaurants and McDonald's cancellation of "supersizing," have come as a result of consumer demand, not potential litigation, according to the Times (Zernike, New York Times, 4/9).
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