Comments on Weighty Matters: Consumers Sue Applebees, Chilis, Macaroni Grill an...

There may be some truth, yet still, we as people a...

2008-09-29T18:26:00.000-04:00

There may be some truth, yet still, we as people are responsible for what we eat. Going out every once and a while is one thing, but to go to Chili's or Applebees every Friday night? That's when it becomes a problem.

While I agree that there has to be truth in advert...

2008-09-29T15:32:00.000-04:00

While I agree that there has to be truth in advertising(ie accurate calorie counts etc.), what about personal responsibility for one's health. No one is forcing individuals to go to a restaurant and eat unhealthy food. People make those choices on their own. I have an issue with individuals making bad choices and then trying to hold others responsible for the subsequent consequences.

Interesting legal approach, but I wonder if it wil...

2008-09-29T10:25:00.000-04:00

Interesting legal approach, but I wonder if it will actually work. Egregious cases of inaccuracies aside, to what degree can restaurants be held responsible for variations in fat/calories, when they are managing multiple local, regional and national suppliers, for hundreds of products? Where will the legal requirement kick in -- if a dish is proven to be 10% off? 20%?

While I applaud the suit for its attempt to keep the chains honest, I just have to wonder if the courts will derail efforts elsewhere in the lawsuit-happy U.S. to force restaurants to disclose calories on menus by deciding, now that serious money is on the line, that the logistics are such that many restaurants cannot comply.

If this suit proceeds, the chains can pressure lawmakers in states/cities that have yet to make menu disclosures mandatory that it could be too costly to do so.