Fast Food Warnings

Rising environmental consciousness has raised awareness of potential threats to health in a variety of areas, including the fast food industry. Many have looked to fast food companies as one of the principal causes for the increase in obesity in the United States and have demanded action to help reverse this trend. In an effort similar to the battle against tobacco, groups have called upon fast food companies to post warnings and to provide information regarding the risks associated with the consumption of their foods.

Since 1990, with the passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, fast food companies have been required to provide nutritional information regarding their meals. This legislation, however, does not specify where the information is to be made available, leading many providers to limit access to websites or brochures kept behind counters. Several additional warnings have been recommended for fast food items. An early concern involved french-fried potatoes and acrylamide. Acrylamide, a white, odorless chemical that is produced when starches such as potatoes are introduced to high temperatures, had been shown to cause cancer and reproductive problems when given to laboratory mice in high doses. While the amount of acrylamide in french fries reported in studies investigating potential harm have been found to be below hazardous levels, some have sought warning labels for french fries. Under California's Proposition 65, approved in 1986, any material [Page 161]containing any substance known to have an association with cancer risks is required to carry a warning label. Acrylamide has been listed under Proposition 65 since 1990, and several lawsuits have been filed to demand that the public be made aware of the trace acrylamide levels in french fries.

Trans fats, or unsaturated fat with trans-isomer fatty acid, have also generated calls for fast food warnings. Trans fats are associated with greater probabilities for heart disease, diabetes, and other health risks and were common in many fast foods. In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that manufacturers state the amount of trans fats in their respective products; this has caused fast food companies to change recipes and processing to reduce or eliminate trans fats.

Aside from specific chemicals or fat additives, many groups, such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest, have pushed for more information regarding the health consequences of certain fast foods. Recommended warnings include the posting of caloric content and macronutrient breakdowns of food items in fast food restaurants solely for the customers’ benefit, as consumers often underestimate the calories in meals consumed in fast food restaurants. Menu labeling proponents argue that providing more information to consumers will allow for better choices regarding proper nutrition, which will in turn reduce the number of nutrition-related health risks occurring in the United States. Several lawsuits have been filed against fast food companies regarding the deceptively high calories and levels of saturated fat. In response to these claims, fast food companies have taken measures to promote the nutritional quality of their foods including removing larger-sized beverage and french fry options, adding lighter fare such as fresh fruits and salads to menus, and promoting healthy activities and lifestyle changes through national marketing campaigns.

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