Don't think that it can't happen
"You can't lose weight by talking about it. You have to keep your mouth shut." Had Prof John Banzhaf of George Washington University in the USA read this saying in The Old Farmer's Almanac, he might have thought twice about attacking his country's restaurant industry.
Prof Banzhaf has written to a number of fast-food chains demanding that they display warnings about the health risks associated with eating a burger-rich diet.
His previous claim to fame is for leading a successful attack on the tobacco industry over cancer issues, so his latest assault is being taken seriously. Just in case things get out of hand with the obesity lobby in the States, the National Restaurant Association of the USA is supporting a Congressional bill designed to prevent "misguided" or "frivolous" litigation coming to court.
The idea that restaurants may be held responsible for a nation's obesity problems is laughable, but it has to be taken seriously. After all, who would have thought, 30 years ago, that the tobacco industry would be found culpable in individual cancer cases? This is now beginning to happen, and the threat of litigation is reducing the attractiveness of tobacco companies, both to prospective employees and to City investors.
At the moment, sue-anything-that-moves madness is confined to the USA, but you know what they say - if it happens over there, it will happen over here - and it won't be long before someone tries to take on Burger UK with the same sort of anti-obesity claim.
"I'm fat but it's not my fault" is a sad indictment of a growing blame culture infecting society on both sides of the Atlantic. Individuals no longer seem able to accept responsibility for their own actions. "What do you mean, I don't have to eat fast food? Of course, I do - it's there."
You may laugh at Prof Banzhaf now, but I bet, if you own a fast-food restaurant, you're a little worried, too. Believe me, it's only a matter of time before we see Banzhaf-type action over here.
Watch this space.
FORBES MUTCH, Editor, Caterer & Hotelkeeper
In this issue
A world view
Tourism and hospitality are proven tools for economic development and the alleviation of poverty. They are also a potential force for peace. This potential needs to be harnessed not just by development agencies like the World Bank, but by tourism and hospitality operators around the world. The unique position of these industries to have a positive impact on the world, both now and in the future, gives them a responsibility which must not be neglected.
Jessica Gunn, Hotels Writer
Unworldly sight Television has two current obsessions: fly-on-the-wall documentaries and food. Combine the two, as Channel 4 did with Jamie's Kitchen last year, and you have TV's idea of a dream marriage. Column inches in the national newspapers ensured the genre was here to stay. The latest to hit our screens will be Yes Chef!, which starts tomorrow on ITV1. Turn to page 36 for our exclusive peek behind the scenes - a case of us watching them (the TV crew) watching them.
Joanna Wood, Deputy Chef Editor
