| Why is that food processing and commerce are | | | | Atkins diet).The producers of the popular Oreo |
| not strictly regulated by law so as to prevent | | | | cookies, Kraft Foods Inc were sued in 2003 by |
| health problems generated by an inadequate diet? | | | | the attorney Stephen Joseph, who based his |
| Unhealthy products encourage an unhealthy diet, | | | | accusations on a provision of the civil code of |
| appealing the consumer by their availability within | | | | California saying that manufacturers are liable for |
| reach and the invading advertising. If the food | | | | products if the consumer is not advised of the |
| producers are controlled by health officials, then it | | | | products' unsafety. He rightfully claimed that the |
| must be that the regulations are too lax in as far | | | | public was not aware of the high content of |
| as marketed foods are concerned.Everyone | | | | trans-fats in Oreos. He declared that he sued out |
| knows that, for instance, hydrogenated oils and | | | | of concern for the public health and that no |
| partially hydrogenated oils are highly unhealthy. | | | | money was requested in the lawsuit, which he |
| Tons of studies and informative material have | | | | finally withdrew, explaining that the publicity on this |
| been published, yet there is a population segment | | | | case had made people aware of the health risks |
| that still falls into traps saying that margarine is a | | | | enhanced by the product. Anyway, if the lawsuit |
| "healthier alternative for butter, full of vitamins", | | | | was intented as bad publicity for the Oreos, the |
| when in fact the trans-fatty acids it contains | | | | aim was not reached, as Kraft Foods Inc will |
| surpass the "healthy benefits" it offers. For this | | | | continue to produce Oreos in a trans-fat free |
| particular case, all foods containing hydrogentated | | | | version.Another famous case of litigation is the |
| oils (if the law allows their production, though it | | | | suit from 2002 against McDonald's. The lawsuit |
| shouldn't) should have a health hazard warning (like | | | | was filed by the lawyer Samuel Hirsch on behalf |
| those on the cigarette packs), saying something | | | | of some obese children. The lawer sustained that |
| like "This product contains trans-fatty acids that | | | | the fast food producer mislead the consumers |
| increase the risk of heart disease". Thus, people | | | | into believing that the products were healthy and |
| would be constantly reminded of the bad effects | | | | safe and claimed that the children developed |
| of such products on health.Generally, when it | | | | health problems such as diabetes, high blood |
| comes to foods and dieting, people should be | | | | pressure and obesity because of eating |
| advised of the potential inconvenience that might | | | | McDonald's products. The suit was dismissed on |
| occur due to some ingredients or the way the | | | | the grounds that no one is forced to eat at |
| food is prepared.Take for instance the case of | | | | McDonald's and that the law has not the role to |
| the release of so many diets that are not | | | | moderate individuals' excesses.A recent date "diet |
| documented, not officially controlled and approved, | | | | trial" is going on in Florida. The suit was filed by |
| promissing great things but not being explicit about | | | | 53-year-old Jody Gorran against Atkins Nutritionals |
| the great problems they generate. Such as the | | | | on May 26, 2004. The plaintiff claims that after |
| very popular Atkins, for instance, which is a real | | | | going on Atkins diet his cholesterol level increased |
| danger to health.I wondered why such anti-health | | | | so much that he needed angioplasty in order to |
| practices are not forbidden? Oh, pardon me! Why | | | | unblock an artery. In addition to financial damages, |
| should I wonder? It's obvious: in an ever growing | | | | there is also the request that the company warns |
| pragmatic course of events, the industrial | | | | the public of the potential dangers of a diet |
| interests have overpassed the interest for the | | | | favoring meats, cheeses and other high-fat |
| health of people.At this point, the role of the | | | | proteins by labeling their products. The sequel is |
| well-informed consumer is decisive for his own | | | | yet to come.Even if some of these lawsuits |
| health. And if people are not fully convinced by so | | | | started out of reasons beyond humanitarian, (as |
| many scientific studies, informative articles and | | | | for instance the chase for money from damages |
| materials, then they surely become when finding | | | | that such important companies would pay) they |
| out of the multitude of lawsuits against food | | | | have a positive result, namely, the publicity around |
| producers (such as Kraft Foods Inc, the | | | | such cases arises questionning, gives people the |
| producers of Oreo cookies), fast food chains | | | | idea of doubt, the "assumption of guilt". |
| (McDonald's) or promoters of diets (such as the | | | | |