by Quintino Johnson

Created on: July 21, 2008

Should fast foods come with warning labels?

No.

Moreover, I believe that cigarettes should not have warning labels. They should remove warning labels from cigarettes, save the ink and whatever other resources used to make the warning label. Warning labels do not stop smokers from smoking. I estimate that 98% of the smokers are aware of the possible consequences that may occur as a result of their choice to smoke cigarettes. Nevertheless, they choose to smoke cigarettes anyway. Many smokers do underestimate the severity of the health risks and probability that the risks will manifest. The same result can be expected with warning labels placed on fast food. Those who choose to eat fast food will still choose to eat fast food regardless of the warning label. Research has shown that an understanding of both risk and severity is necessary to motivate quitting. The best means to increase understanding of risk and severity of eating excessive fast food is not through a warning label.

Eating frequent fast food meals causes weight gain and increase the risk of developing insulin resistance according to the results of a study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Further, it increases the risk of numerous other diseases and conditions that are detrimental to health. More importantly than people choosing to eat fast food despite the warning label, placing a warning label on fast food would open the door to placing warning labels on everything. What is next; hard candy labeled, warning: excessive eating of this product will cause tooth decay which can lead to other diseases that will adversely affect your health?

Top four reasons why warning labels should not be used for fast food: 1.) Fast food is a consumable; it does not have to be consumed (individuals make the choice to or not to consume). 2.) The information on the health affects is available and typically known. 3.) The cost of producing warning labels will be passed on to the consumer. 4.) Warning labels are only effective with photos that display ultimate effects of the product or when extremely explicit (it is not reasonable to place a picture or explicit writing on an item that is about to be eaten).

FDA scientists, after conducting numerous focus groups over the last year, concluded that persuading people to diet and exercise is far from the straightforward proposition it seems. Thus a warning label will not suffice; instead they are assembling an extensive television and print advertising campaign pushing calorie reduction and exercise. Furthermore, focus group data showed that many overweight Americans do not consider their weight a problem and are likely ignore the warning labels.

Lastly, what about personal responsibility and accountability? We can not continue to relieve ourselves of the incentives to hold ourselves responsible and accountable for our actions. Come on, a warning label on fast food?

I vote no.

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