Bill To Ban Fat Food Suits Wins Insurer Kudos

Bill To Ban Fat Food Suits Wins Insurer Kudos

By Steven Brostoff, Washington Editor

NU Online News Service, July 22, 7:14 p.m. EDT, Washington?Insurance and business groups are praising federal legislation aimed at curbing potential lawsuits against food manufacturers.

The legislation, S. 1428, which was introduced by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., would bar lawsuits against food manufacturers and sellers by those claiming that consuming the food led to obesity.

"Sen. McConnell's reform legislation will thwart frivolous lawsuits and help keep the skyrocketing costs of litigation in check," said Melissa Shelk, vice president of federal affairs with the Washington-based American Insurance Association.

She said that federal, state and local governments already have extensive food regulations in place, and the "growing tide of absurd lawsuits over food" will only contribute to the staggering costs of the legal system.

Lawrence Fineran, vice president for regulation and competition with the Washington-based National Association of Manufacturers, agreed that the issue is not food safety but frivolous lawsuits.

"Lawsuits against restaurants and food manufacturers brought on behalf of people who are overweight may seem ludicrous, and in fact they are ludicrous, but the personal injury attorneys are not after laughs--they are after money," he said.