The "Cheeseburger Bill" was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in an effort to force consumers to take responsibility for the way in which they consume food.
The Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (Cheeseburger Bill) stemmed from increasing numbers of obese American citizens trying to take legal action against food producers and fast food chains like McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King.
In 2013, 26.6% of women and 28.2% of men in America were classified as obese, not just overweight. That surpasses all obesity levels in the USA since 2008.
All suits and class action suits brought against food producers and fast food companies have so far been turned down by the courts—sometimes in strong terms. The first case of this kind was thrown out in court in 2003, when McDonald's was blamed for two girls' obesity and subsequent health problems.
"Where should the line be drawn between an individual's own responsibility to take care of herself and society's responsibility to ensure others shield her? The complaint fails to allege the McDonald's products consumed by the plaintiffs were dangerous in any way other than that which was open and obvious to a reasonable consumer," Judge Sweet said in his ruling.
