Originally published February 21 2006
Interest groups rely on consumer protection law in their latest foray against Kellogg and Viacom
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood have filed suits against Kellogg and Viacom, owner of Nickelodeon, in an effort to use state consumer-protection laws to force these companies to stop advertising unhealthy foods to young children.
In the past, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood have pressed the federal government for stricter regulations and cheered on individuals who filed lawsuits against particular companies for their high-fat food.
Now they say they will use state consumer-protection laws to try to stop what they believe is a deceptive and unfair business practice: advertising to young children.
Sherri Carlson, left, with daughter Paige, 4, Lisa Flythe, Susan Linn of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and Stephen Gardner, of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, at a news conference in Washington announcing the groups' intent to sue Viacom Inc. and Kellogg Co. Sherri Carlson, left, with daughter Paige, 4, Lisa Flythe, Susan Linn of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, and Stephen Gardner, of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, at a news conference in Washington announcing the groups' intent to sue Viacom Inc. and Kellogg Co. (By Jahi Chikwendiu -- The Washington Post) The Checkout mug Post consumer-issues reporter Caroline Mayer blogs about bargains, scams, recalls, credit -- and everything else that affects your wallet.
Though the groups allege that Kellogg and Nickelodeon each caused more than $1 billion in economic harm to Massachusetts consumers, they are not seeking monetary damages.
CSPI's executive director, Michael F. Jacobson, said he hopes the lawsuit will have nationwide impact because if either company changes its ways, it will probably do so nationally, not just in Massachusetts.
The Center for Consumer Freedom, a nonprofit group supported by restaurants and food companies, said the planned lawsuit "fails to address the true cause of obesity in children today -- a lack of physical activity."
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