Tag: fast food
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Calling Use of Toys to Market Happy Meals® Illegal, CSPI Threatens Lawsuit
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has notified McDonald’s Corp. that it intends to sue the company within 30 days if it does not immediately stop using toys to market its Happy Meals® to young children. The letter characterizes the practice as “illegal, because marketing to kids under eight is (1) inherently…
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San Francisco Supervisor Seeks to Outlaw Fast Food Toys
A San Francisco elected official has reportedly asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would prohibit “fast food restaurants from including toys with meals marketed at children that are high calorie, high sugar and high in fat.” The request comes after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors’ recent approval of a similar…
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Health Researchers Claim Insurance Cos. Hold $1.88 Billion in Fast Food Stocks
Cambridge Health Alliance researchers studying the investments of health and life insurance companies have apparently concluded that the companies own some $1.88 billion, or 2.2 percent, of the stock issued by the five leading fast-food companies. Arun Mohan, et al., “Life and Health Insurance Industry Investments in Fast Food,” American Journal of Public Health, April…
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Romania Considers Tax on Fast Food
The Romanian government has reportedly proposed a tax on fast foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Backed by the European Public Health Alliance, the health ministry has sought to create the world’s most comprehensive tax scheme that would include, not just sugary foods and beverages, but savory fare as well. Proponents have claimed that…
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Corporate Watchdog Launches Campaign to “Retire Ronald McDonald”
Comparing fast-food advertising icon Ronald McDonald to Joe Camel, Corporate Accountability International has initiated a campaign calling on McDonald’s Corp. to “Retire Ronald.” The campaign is based on a report, “Clowning with Kids’ Health,” that calls the character “the product of a well-orchestrated and shrewd marketing strategy” that targets those most vulnerable to food-industry marketing—children. The…
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District Court Orders Pelman Parties to Refile Class Certification Pleadings
The U.S. district court judge now presiding over the obesity-related claims in Pelman v. McDonald’s Corp. has ordered the parties to refile a number of documents previously submitted on motions addressing class certification. Pelman v. McDonald’s Corp., No. 02-7821 (S.D.N.Y., order entered March 24, 2010). Among the documents the court has requested are the defendant’s…
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Pelman “Obesity” Lawsuit Reassigned Yet Again
Over the past two years, little has taken place in Pelman v. McDonald’s Corp., the putative class action litigation brought in 2002 on behalf of obese and overweight teenagers who alleged that the fast food restaurant is responsible for their weight-related health conditions. On March 10, 2010, the case was reassigned to U.S. District Court…
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Double-Meat Sandwich Ads Target of Illinois Class Action Against Blimpie
A putative class action has been filed in a Madison County, Illinois, court alleging that a fast food chain has fraudulently advertised its Super Stacked™ sub sandwiches “as containing ‘double portions of meat’” compared with its standard sandwiches, when they do not have double the meat. Williams v. Kahala Corp., No. 10-L-166 (Ill. Cir. Ct.,…