Lieberman Seeks Probe on Junk Food Firms

AP ^ | 12/4/2003

[Leroy S. Mort]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Warning: Jelly doughnuts may be hazardous to your child's health. That's what Democratic presidential candidate Joe Lieberman is telling America's parents as he seeks a federal investigation into the marketing practices of junk food companies.

The Connecticut senator, who led the fight to put parental warnings on movie, video game and music advertising, wants the Federal Trade Commission to determine whether there is a connection between junk food advertising and the rise in obesity among youngsters.

``We're talking about how the government can get back on the side of parents and families and support them in raising healthy children and giving them good values,'' said Dan Gerstein, deputy communications director for Lieberman's campaign. ``Governments can't raise children. That's the job of parents. But we can help to pull with them and pull for them.''

As president, Lieberman would push for three interim moves while the FTC conducts its study:

Require junk food advertisements to include nutritional information that somehow issues a warning to parents, much like movie ads are accompanied by parental ratings.

Ask Congress to require restaurant chains to include nutritional information on menus and mini-boards. There already is a bill pending in Congress to do this.

Empower the Agriculture Department to set standards for food sold in schools, primarily vending machines. The USDA currently regulates lunch menus, but there are no limits on what companies can sell kids through vending machines.

Lieberman's campaign officials said the senator will not define what junk food is, leaving that to dietary and health care experts.

In the 1990s and into the 2000 presidential campaign, Lieberman spurred an FTC investigation into the marketing practices of the movie, video game and music industries. Aides say he has found a similar pattern with food advertising: Companies are marketing unhealthy products to children too young to read.

While parents can refuse to bring junk food into their homes, advertisements prompt demands from the youngest children and make it more likely that they will buy the products - sometimes in schools - as soon as they get enough money of their own, Lieberman aides said.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared obesity the top health issue in America. It estimates that 15 percent of children are overweight.

The announcement is part of a weeklong project by Lieberman to push family friendly initiatives.

On Wednesday in Manchester, N.H., he proposed expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Clinton-era program that allows up to 12 weeks of family leave per year without pay.

Under Lieberman's plan, employees would pay about $1 per week into a program that would provide up to four weeks of leave at half pay.

[Leroy S. Mort]

They'll get my jelly donuts when they pry them from my cold, dead, sticky, hands.

[SAJ]

Doubtless the esteemed junior schmuck from CT will make similar pronouncements about the menaces of fat and sugar in hammantashin and old fashioned chicken soup. Too bad he married Hadassah -- he should have joined it.

[ambrose]

The Rats believe that a woman should be allowed to do what she wants with "her own body", when it comes to crushing the skull of a baby and sucking out its brains with a vacuum... but not when it comes to eating a jelly donut or smoking a cigarette. Incredible.

[Burkeman1]

Anyone see "South Park" last night? Excellant episode on the "Anti smoking" Nazis. I think Americans will draw the line at "junk" food being "regulated" by the Feds. I hope at least.

[EGPWS]

``We're talking about how the government can get back on the side of into parents and families [lives] and support [control] them in raising healthy children and giving them good our [professed] values,''

[EGPWS]

They'll get my jelly donuts when they pry them from my cold, dead, sticky, hands.

You must be a Cop or a railroad worker! LoL's! : )

[PFKEY]

Yep, this is a winning statergy.

Just what Americans really want.

War has been declaired on:

the junk food industry.

the fast food industry.

America really embrassed the tough stand the Dems made on tabacco.

America really embrassed the tough stand the Dems made on Microsoft.

America really would rather shy away from terrorists and attack the real enemy...

Legal American businesses

These guys are going to lose by such huge numbers come Nov. 2004.

[EGPWS]

These guys are going to lose by such huge numbers come Nov. 2004.

Reagan/Mondale '84 just may become a 2nd in political history! : )

[T'wit]

> Under Lieberman's plan, employees would pay about $1 per week into a program that would provide up to four weeks of leave at half pay.

Let's see. You pay Joe Lieberman $52 a year. If you make, say, $1,000 a week, Joe will give you four weeks off at $500 a week minus the $52.

I figure that leaves you with $1,948 to buy jelly doughnuts, yes?

[Once-Ler]

Joe seems to believe that any publicity is good publicity, as long as they spell your name right. Pretty pathetic for a guy who reasonably should not already be forgotten from the 2000 Presidential campaign.

That's right Joe was the 'rat Vice-President candidate just 3 years ago...for anyone else who forgot who he was.

[jazzlite]

They are trying to hijack the normal control over the "activities" of daily life of our people. The reason we have obesity in American is that we have food in abundance because of our free society. We also have sedentary high tech games, etc., for our kids..Therefore, they are not outside playing ball, riding bikes and getting exercise. In fact, it is dangerous to allow your child to play ball or ride a bike out of your sight. I know a lot of fat people and to a person, they eat very well but they eat too much and too often. They are also picky eaters..Only the best will do. We have two children in our family who are exact opposites, reared by the same parents. One child has preferred raw veggies, etc., since birth. The other child will not eat if he cannot have a high carb meal. The child who eats high carb is very healthy and only slightly heavier than he should be. The parents force him to taste foods that are good for him but they cannot force feed him. Eating is a pleasurable and social activity and as long as food exists in abundance as it does today, people will eat what they want. The food police need to get lost!

[thesummerwind]

Junk food - is that like junk science?