Dreier Votes to Prevent Frivolous Fast Food Lawsuits

March 10, 2004

Dreier Votes to Prevent Frivolous Fast Food Lawsuits

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas) voted today to protect American jobs and prevent our court systems from being clogged by frivolous lawsuits against the fast food industry. The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, H.R. 339, was approved with broad bipartisan support, 276-139.

"The primary focus of this legislation is to protect American jobs and encourage economic growth by reducing the threat of frivolous lawsuits," Dreier said. "As an aside, the legislation also emphasizes a growing problem in our country, that of obesity and the lack of personal accountability on the issue. This is a crisis that can be contained if we take more steps to improve our own health through exercise and a balanced diet. Suing corporations won't make anyone healthier. But bringing the issue to the forefront will."

The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act, H.R. 339, seeks to prohibit obesity or weight gain-related claims against the food service industry. The food service industry is the nation's largest private sector employer with 12 million employees. According to a recent poll conducted by the Gallup organization, almost 90 percent of Americans oppose holding restaurant owners responsible for the diet-related health problems of regular fast-food consumers.

Dreier said that he believed frivolous lawsuits would have a negative effect on the millions of Americans employed in the food service industry. "When a restaurant owner is trying to provide health care for his employees, he or she cannot have the threat of a million dollar lawsuit hanging over his head. Businesses should be free to do business and succeed or fail based on the quality of their service and product. This common sense legislation will help our economy and serve as a wake-up call to millions of Americans who need to improve their health."