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