Weighing in on the fast food issue

We’ve been getting quite a few responses from this past Monday’s e-Alert (“Rendering unto Caesar”) about the legal actions being taken against McDonald’s and other fast food chains. According to the lawsuits, the chains serve unhealthy food without sufficiently informing their customers of the health risks. One HSI member named Dr. R. sent this e-mail:

“Jenny, I must disagree with you on this one. The fast food chains have been aggressively targeting children and adults in their ad campaigns for many years. The info and research is beyond compelling that the sis-tran fats and sugars in these fast foods are devastating for one’s health. The fast food giants say their food is just fine for people. It is not unlike the “deny and stall” tactics the tobacco companies used or decades.”

I completely agree that a diet of fast food is not healthy and should be avoided. But Dr. R. and I will have to agree to disagree on the subject of responsibility. When it’s time for a meal, adults have the freedom to choose – no one is forced to eat Whoppers. And the fact that fast food is universally known as “junk” food should be a clear tip off that “fast” shouldn’t be assumed to be healthy.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute