Summary and Response to "Should foods linked to diet-related diseases be regulated?"

Summary:
Obesity in America has become a bigger problem - treating obesity costs an estimated $150-210 billion a year, which increases health insurance costs as well as taxes to pay for government insurance programs. The article “Should foods linked to diet-related diseases be regulated” published by CQResearcher.com talks about whether or not the food industry should be even more regulated. The nation is divided between those who want government involvement in regulating foods that are supposedly unhealthy, and those that believe government should leave the people alone to make decisions for themselves. Those in favor of government involvement cite alcohol and tobacco restrictions and regulations for limiting the consumption of harmful substances. They would like the same types of restrictions and regulations on foods that are high in sugar (such as junk food) and high-calorie foods. These advocates say that government regulation and involvement is necessary because the food industry will not regulate themselves as they have no motivation or benefit to do so. Food companies spend $16 billion on marketing ($2 billion of which are targeted towards children) with the sole purpose of increasing their revenues. This demonstrates that they have no desire to voluntarily stop marketing these disease-causing foods towards children or adults. It's a conflict of interest. On the other hand, the food industry companies say that their industry is already heavily regulated by the government and if additional laws were passed, it would be denying consumers the right to choose and be responsible for their own actions. In essence, it would be treating consumers like children who can't be trusted to make the right decision for themselves. Additionally, the government restriction of these foods would affect the poorest people in America the hardest. This is because a higher percentage of their income would have to go to purchase other types of "better" food.




Response:
I believe that every grown up person over 18 years should be able do decide by themselves what he can eat and what not. At the same time I think that the government has to take responsibility for people’s health and especially children’s health. It is important that children learn healthy food habits from young childhood and that sugary soft drinks and junk food is dangerous for us. I think that adults should be able to buy any junk food and sugary products that they want but at the same time it should not be allowed to sell and give it at schools. Children are not able to understand how dangerous junk food and sugary soft drinks actually are for their health and body. I believe that it is not fair to tax sugary soft drinks because there are many poor people who couldn’t afford it other than to buy themselves a soft drink for special occasions. Another reason is that every adult should be able to do eat and drink whatever he wants if it is not dangerous for the society.