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The producers of
popular Oreo cookies, Kraft Foods Inc were sued in 2003 by attorney Stephen Joseph, who based his accusations on a provision of civil code of California saying that manufacturers are liable for products if consumer is not advised of products' unsafety. He rightfully claimed that public was not aware of high content of trans-fats in Oreos. He declared that he sued out of concern for public health and that no money was requested in lawsuit, which he finally withdrew, explaining that publicity on this case had made people aware of health risks enhanced by product. Anyway, if lawsuit was intented as bad publicity for Oreos, aim was not reached, as Kraft Foods Inc will continue to produce Oreos in a trans-fat free version.
Another famous case of litigation is suit from 2002 against McDonald's. The lawsuit was filed by lawyer Samuel Hirsch on behalf of some obese children. The lawer sustained that fast food producer mislead consumers into believing that products were healthy and safe and claimed that children developed health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity because of eating McDonald's products. The suit was dismissed on grounds that no one is forced to eat at McDonald's and that law has not role to moderate individuals' excesses.
A recent date "diet trial" is going on in Florida. The suit was filed by 53-year-old Jody Gorran against Atkins Nutritionals on May 26, 2004. The plaintiff claims that after going on Atkins diet his cholesterol level increased so much that he needed angioplasty in order to unblock an artery. In addition to financial damages, there is also request that company warns public of potential dangers of a diet favoring meats, cheeses and other high-fat proteins by labeling their products. The sequel is yet to come.
Even if some of these lawsuits started out of reasons beyond humanitarian, (as for instance chase for money from damages that such important companies would pay) they have a positive result, namely, publicity around such cases arises questionning, gives people idea of doubt, "assumption of guilt".
Laura Ciocan writes for http://www.dietsindex.com/ where you can find more information about diets Please feel free to use this article in your Newsletter or on your website. If you use this article, please include the resource box and send a brief message to let me know where it appeared: mailto:lauracio@gmail.com
