Responding to Americans who oppose holding restaurants legally liable for obesity, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (called the “Cheeseburger Bill” by some) in March. The bill is meant to protect restaurants and food service companies from litigation.

“The food industry strongly believes that more energy must be put into solving the problem of obesity, and less into assigning blame for the purpose of collecting legal fees,” says John R. Cady, president and CEO of the National Food Processors Association. “We need to start helping consumers understand how they can balance their food choices in order to create a healthful diet. We also must help them to understand that a lack of physical activity in the lives of many Americans—adults and children—is having a serious negative impact on their health.”

Similar legislation on this issue has also been introduced in the U.S. Senate by Republican Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, notes Cady.