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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The U-S House has voted to ban lawsuits from being filed against fast food restaurants because menu items are high in fat and calories.
The measure would prohibit lawsuits from claiming a fast food restaurant is responsible for a person's obesity.
Representative Chris Cannon says unfortunately, the food industry has been targeted by a variety of unfounded legal claims which allege businesses should pay monetary damages.
Cannon says such lawsuits will threaten thousands of jobs. More importantly, he says, such lawsuits send the wrong message regarding personal choices and responsibility.
The so-called "burger bill" is patterned after another bill, scheduled to be debated today. It's a bill that would prevent lawsuits against gun manufacturers for the unlawful use of their legal products.
Twenty-one states have now enacted similar legislation.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
