Government Regulation

From local government ordinances targeting restaurants’ “kids’ meals” and specific food ingredients to federal proposals seeking “voluntary” limits on food and beverage advertising, regulations seeking to control and influence our dietary choices are proliferating. Because they are often devised and imposed outside the ordinary checks and balances of the democratic system, regulations are an especially potent tool for activists to implement their narrow vision of a “proper” diet.

From WLF's Legal Pulse Blog

Imposing Weight-Loss Guidelines: Another Function of ObamaCare?

The federal Affordable Care Act, better known as “ObamaCare,” may provide activists and government a little-known wedge to advance their obesity agendas through regulated health-care providers — specifically America’s nearly 3,000 non-profit hospitals. One organization, The STOP Obesity Alliance, recently identified this wedge as a way to have such hospitals embrace its core convictions, including one principle which questions the role of personal responsibility as a cause and a solution to obesity.

Community Health Needs Assessments. Section 9007 of the Act requires non-profit hospitals, as a condition of maintaining their tax-exempt status, to conduct Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs). These documents, which must be filed with the IRS, will demonstrate the health needs of the hospitals’ local communities and explain how hospitals are meeting those needs. One assessment of CHNAs likened them to banks’ responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act, in the sense that the documents might be used as tools by activists to prompt agreements or actions. It’s likely the STOP alliance understood this when it made its “recommendations” . . . .

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Monday, May 20, 2013

Government Regulation

On GM Food Labeling, Science Doesn't Always Wins, Says Former FDA Official

Drastic salt reduction may be unhealthier than sodium at current level

Big grocers troubled by federal menu labeling mandate

Former Obama Regulatory Czar Says Don't Mandate Biotech Food Labels

FDA Chest-thumping scares Wrigley away from caffeinated gum

Labeling of GE Food on the Horizon?

Time to card for caffeinated products?

FDA "disturbed" by increase of foods with added caffeine

Is the "Facts Up Front" Label Helpful?

Forcing smaller serving sizes may INCREASE soda consumption, study asserts

Mayor Bloomberg hasn't given up on banning soda, so why has the rest of the world?

Judicial ruling on NYC soda ban sends NYT food nanny into a tizzy

If we had a DEregulation section: Mississippi governor signs law outlawing local food nanny ordinances

"Morning Joe" co-host goes on rant against soda in aftermath of judicial ruling in NYC

NYC drink size ban poised to take effect; will Starbucks go rogue?

Imposing Weight-Loss Guidelines: Another Function of ObamaCare?

Here We Go Again? Mandatory Biotech Food Labeling Initiative Moves Forward in Washington (State)

Biotech Food Labeling Proposal Raises First Amendment Concerns

California's Prop 37: An Impending "Natural" Disaster?

Mandated Biotech Food Labeling: A California Initiative By Lawyers And For Lawyers

Mandate "GMO" Food Disclosure: Labeling for Thee but Not for Me

Shoddy Drafting or Part of the Plan?: The "Natural" Problem in California's Biotech Food Labeling Initiative

NYC Soda Portion Ban Crushes a Big Gulp of Freedom

Supersized government won't reduce obesity in the U.S.

Spoonful of Government Won't Make Obesity Go Down (WLF op-ed)

Vermont Proposes a Non-Solution to “All-Natural” Class Action Lawsuits

Health Warnings On Consumer Products: Why Scarier Is Not Better

New York City Advances Breathtakingly Broad Concept of “Government Speech” in Tobacco Warning Case

Court Urged To Invalidate FDA's Effort To Compel Commercial Speech

Update: Judge Strikes Down Texas's Irrational Speech Limits on Beer Promotion