Bismarck, ND – A bill being looked at in the North Dakota House Judiciary Committee would protect restaurants like McDonald's and Taco Bell from being sued for causing obesity.
The bill would make food producers, manufacturers, and distributors exempt from civil liability for any claim of weight gain or a health condition associated with weight gain or obesity. Bill co-sponsor Representative Ron Iverson of Fargo who has been called a legislator of size says it's a personal choice to eat at a fast-food restaurant and the individual should be to blame for their obesity.
Trial Lawyers Association Executive Director Paula Grosinger opposes the bill. She says the North Dakota civil justice system is NOT plagued by junk lawsuits around obesity and she says the bill gives an unfair advantage to the food industry.
The committee has not yet taken action on the bill.