[untenured]

Faith in humanity meter rating up.

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.

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.

[Cobra64]

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.

Yup. And some state (I don't recall - probably California) has outlawed carbonated beverages and snack foods on school grounds. Only fruit juice is allowed. Pretty pathetic, eh?

[menotyu]

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

[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.

[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.

[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!!!!!!!