McDonald's obesity lawsuit thrown out

CNNMoney.com ^ | September 4, 2003

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge Thursday threw out a refiled lawsuit against McDonald's Corp. blaming the fast food restaurant chain for obesity and health problems in children.

U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet dismissed the suit that accused McDonald's (MCD: up $0.60 to $23.29, Research, Estimates) of misleading the plaintiffs through advertising and other publicity that its food products were nutritious. Sweet had thrown out an earlier version of the suit, but had allowed the plaintiffs to refile the case with new information.

[My2Cents]

"Sue McDonald's for your obesity?! Fat chance!"

[concerned about politics]

If you eat too much junk, you get fat, so change your eating habits.
Whooooo, dude! What a revelation !!

[SendShaqtoIraq]

It is not the NUMBER of calories that is the issue. It is the nutrition value of the drink. However, I don't see anything wrong with soft drink machines in high schools, because those kids aren't going to drink milk with their lunches no matter what. I can see outlawing the soft drinks for the little kids.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

You mean there's actually a judge in America that makes the complainant(THIEF)prove something??

[jae471]

It is the number of Calories that makes people obese.

But how much nutrition is really contained in a 'juice' containing mostly water and sugar.

One problem is the fact that school water fountains don't work 60% of the time. And when choosing between an overpriced bottle of municipal water (Aquafina, Dasani), or a Root Beer, I'm gonna pick (and usually did) the latter.

I do agree that elementary schools shouldn't have soda machines accessible to children, though.

[concerned about politics]

I do agree that elementary schools shouldn't have soda machines accessible to children, though.

They should be given.....GASP!.....milk.

[menotyu]

You're right, and just the fact that this lawsuit had ANY legs is very troubling to me.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>...and a Diet Coke.

Supersized, of course.

[lawgirl]

That's great news. And I have quite a few pounds with McDonald's name on it. :D

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Wasn't it Greta Van Sustern's husband who was arguing the case?

[Cobra64]

If you eat too much junk, you get fat, so change your eating habits. Whooooo, dude! What a revelation !!

Yup. If I put a loaded .357 in my mouth and pull the trigger, I might not be feeling too well. Of course some doctor would tell my wife to have me take two Bayer aspirins and call him in the morning.

[chemicalman]

To the plantiffs:
Eat less! Move around more!

[ChewedGum]

Making the right call is encouraging though. I like sweet justice from Justice Sweet.

Gum

[Cobra64]

I can see outlawing the soft drinks for the little kids.

Where does it stop? The PARENTS should make these decisions. Not the GOVERNMENT. Who are "the little kids?" To use analogies, "How high is up?" Or, "How fast is fast?"

I drive a 1964 Shelby Cobra over 100 mph on a regular basis. To me, that is not all that fast. My wife never gets her Jag over 80. She thinks that's fast. Think; before all of our rights have been eliminated.

[Maigrey]

Wow. A common sense decision. 'bout Time!

[randog]

Tobacco companies won for many years before the anti-responsibility crowd finally broke through. These suits will probably be filed and refiled on diferent legal grounds until they get a win.

Yup. It's the shotgun approach--one pellet is bound to hit the target.

[mrustow]

I recently came back from living overseas, and after I got back I noticed that some food, e.g. yogurt and Coca-Cola, was being offered in smaller containers than when I left. This suggests to me that companies expect that legal trouble is a possibility, so they're offering more choices as a way to partially immunize themselves. It will be interesting to see if McDonald's et al. start offering smaller portion sizes for those who want them.

This suggests to me, that companies are trying to maintain their bottom line, while avoiding price increases. Dannon is the yogurt company in question; already, its plucky, smaller competitor Columbo, is emphasizing in its ads that it gives you 33% more yogurt.

[Lunatic Fringe]

[John Jorsett]

Mmmmm, piles of gray cow meat ...

:-)

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

Ok...I think I've figured this out.

I'd bet money that the judge felt confident that these McGluttons could all go get an injection of the new
Hormone found to curb appetite in obesity