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.

[cantfindagoodscreenname]

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

I do hope you don't mean cows' milk. That's for baby cows. I think that water should be the drink of choice. Of course, I teach my kids at home where they drink whatever they want (usually cows' milk, lol). Personally, I can't STAND milk. Give me water any day.

[TigersEye]

What could possibly be nutritious about beef, lettuce, tomatos, onions, pickles and a bun made from wheat? Sounds like a horribly bogus recipe of poisons based on the USDA's Food Pyramid hoax.

Come to think of it why wasn't the USDA named in the suit?

[Gabz]

I normally will read further through a thread before responding to such an early post - but in this instance I can't help myself.

Don't be so sure. 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.

You don't even realize how CORRECT you are. The chief shark, I mean slimebucket, I mean lawyer who filed this lawsuit is the the one that perfected the tobacco litigation, and has repeatedly said he will use all the knowledge garnered from the tobacco lawsuits against the Fast Food industry.

When everyone was cheering the downfall of the tobacco companies, the smokers were the ones warning it would not stop with them and somone would be next - we were laughed at.

The companies are not hurt by these lawsuits - only the consumers are.

When you hear the name John Banzhaf in relation to anything - be afraid - BE VERY AFRAID.

[Gabz]

A taste of sanity? Or just a speedbump on the road to ruin?

As I said in another post - this lawsuit was spearheaded by Mr. Tobacco lawsuit himself - John Banzhaf.

If you have any belief in the concept of personal responsibility - be VERY AFRAID of the that name.

[LayoutGuru2]

[mplsconservative]

Dannon the FRENCH yogurt company is cheating us in portion size? Oh my! Another reason to boycott Dannon and all other frenchie stuff, beyond the obvious reasons. Pass me the fries, will 'ya please?

[Fifth Business]

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.

Where do you live? In my country they don't even allow you to do that when you've been drinking!

[fishbabe]

they do offer a smaller portion.....its called one hamburger...one fry...milk or orange juice...gee,i guess fat people don't understand english either since they have trouble understanding the concept of one!!!!!!!

[brianl703]

Here in the fine old state of Virginia, those speeds would land you in jail. 20 miles or more over the speed limit is reckless driving, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or up to a $2500 fine.

There was some judge in Bottetourt County which I-81 runs through who was giving jail time for anyone caught going faster than 80MPH in the 65MPH zone. It got some press a couple of years ago, but apparently he's stopped that and is just giving fines.

[Cobra64]

Here in the fine old state of Virginia, those speeds would land you in jail. 20 miles or more over the speed limit is reckless driving, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or up to a $2500 fine.

Similar to what we have here in NC. The key is keep it safe, and don't get caught.

[brianl703]

That probably explains why the NC drivers are usually the slowest ones on I95.

Virginia makes radar detectors illegal, but it's a $50, no points fine so if you're going to play the game, might as well have one.

[Cobra64]

That probably explains why the NC drivers are usually the slowest ones on I95.

Not sure if you read my previous reply where I get my 1964 AC Cobra up to 100 mph between Morganton and Asheville (Western, NC) not near the I95 drug trafficking route.

[Cobra64]

That probably explains why the NC drivers are usually the slowest ones on I95.

Not sure if you read my previous reply where I get my 1964 AC Cobra up to 100 mph between Morganton and Asheville (Western, NC) not near the I95 drug trafficking route.

[untenured]

This suggests to me, that companies are trying to maintain their bottom line, while avoiding price increases.

Could be. We'll know in a few years. After years of upping portion sizes it would seem strange to reverse course now, although I know candy-bar makers have done that. But I remember that the candy-bar markers thought that consumers wouldn't really notice, which wouldn't hold for Dannon. Their smaller containers are obvious.

FWIW, a little while back Kraft downsized some of their portions after they were sued (unsuccessfully) over Oreos. The Detroit Free Press talks about it a little bit here.

[cspackler]

A genuine Cobra? (Jealousy rising...) 289? 427?

[LanPB01]

My mother is the principal at an elementary school. Coke now refuses to sell carbonated beverages at her school, for "health" reasons, instead selling fruit juice. Of course, the fruit juice they sell actually only consists of 10% juice, and actually contains more sugar than the carbonated drinks, but it's for the kids, right?

[upchuck]

Now, if we just had a "loser pays" law...

[skinkinthegrass]

Hey can you pick me up 3 Big Macs, a Fish Sandwich,a chicken sandwich, French Fry, Ice Cream, 2 cheeseburgers and 4 hamburgers. That should be enough for me to celebrate. :)

...McNuggets fo Me...w/Bar-B-Que sauce..thanks :)

[skinkinthegrass]

Hey can you pick me up 3 Big Macs, a Fish Sandwich,a chicken sandwich, French Fry, Ice Cream, 2 cheeseburgers and 4 hamburgers. That should be enough for me to celebrate. :)

...McNuggets fo Me...w/Bar-B-Que sauce..thanks :)

[Orion78]

Wooohooo finally a judge with some balls.