Bill seeks to stop fast-food lawsuits

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- If your penchant for pizza and Quarter Pounders is making you fat, the fault, dear consumer, lies not with Big Food but yourself.

That is the theme of the proposed Common Sense Food Consumption Act, which would immunize the food industry from civil liability in cases where people claim to have suffered obesity-related health problems as a result of overeating. The bill was heard Tuesday by the Senate Pensions and General Laws Committee.

The bill's intent is to pre-empt any lawsuit similar to those filed in other states against large fast-food restaurant chains such as McDonald's from being brought in Missouri courts.

John Pelzer, a lobbyist for the Missouri Restaurant Association, said the proposed Missouri legislation is virtually identical to bills that have been introduced in 28 other states this year.

"The concept is very simple," Pelzer said. "It prevents frivolous lawsuits based on somebody getting obese from eating at their favorite restaurant."

There was no opposition to the measure voiced before the committee, which took no action.