Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act...

So we learned this week in Finance 310 about the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, which falls under the Federal Tort Reform. Basically, what this act states is that food companies are not responsible for a customer's overconsumption of--and resulting subsequent weight gain from--fast food and/or other foods that are considered unhealthy. This personal responsibility falls on the customer, who should use knowledge and judgment before deciding whether or not to proceed with a high-calorie, heart-unhealthy diet. I personally agree with this bill.

The chapter goes further into this discussion, stating that "consumers love hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and similar high-calorie foods, which they often purchase from fast-food restaurants. Undesirable weight gains have resulted in a number of lawsuits against fast-food restaurants." I think that it is unfair for consumers to suggest that the fast-food companies pay for their choice of an unhealthy lifestyle; because ultimately, the insurance money comes from our tax dollars. And it doesn't even state that they feel that they've become unhealthy because of consuming mostly fatty foods; it just says that undesirable weight gain has caused many consumers to file lawsuits against fast-food companies. They could just as easily stop consuming these foods and choose low-calorie, heart-healthy foods and increase their physical activity. I agree to some extent that fast-food companies should be more forthcoming with the caloric and health information involved in producing their foods, allowing consumers to make more informed choices. But don't expect fast-food companies to pay for your choosing to continue with an unhealthy diet.