government
Bill would ban federal food and beverage ad campaigns
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 13, 2012
Federal agencies would be prohibited from funding advertising campaigns against food and beverages deemed safe under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, according to a bill released on Jan. 31 by Rep. Scott DesJarlais, MD (R, Tenn.), a family physician and member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Dr. DesJarlais said he introduced the bill because certain cities spent millions of dollars in federal stimulus package funding on obesity prevention campaigns targeting soft drinks. Other grant recipients -- cities, states and local organizations -- spent some of the same category of grants on parks, soccer fields and other projects to which Dr. DesJarlais did not object.
"As a physician, I believe in promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles, but the American taxpayer should not be forced to subsidize campaigns that push misleading information intended to scare consumers," Dr. DesJarlais said. Although the stimulus package dollars have been spent and cannot be recovered, the bill seeks to prevent similar future spending. The measure is formally known as the Protecting Foods and Beverages from Government Attack Act of 2012.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/13/gvbf0213.htm.
