Bill introduced in Congress that would prohibit federal money from going toward ad campaigns against food and beverages that U.S. government considers safe, legal

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , February 3, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – A bill has been introduced in Congress that would prohibit federal money from going toward ad campaigns against food and beverages that the U.S. government considers safe and legal, Fox News reported Feb. 3.

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., introduced the bill following an anti-obesity subway poster in New York City that showed a man on a chair missing a leg, with crutches in the background. The ad focused on Type 2 diabetes.

However, the man in the ad actually has both legs, as the ad agency for the New York City Health Department took a stock image and edited one of the legs.

Federal statistics show that US$230 million in federal stimulus money went toward anti-obesity campaigns, DesJarlais said, adding that the subway ad was stimulus-funded.

The city’s health department, which did not return a request for comment, is pushing the message that increased portion sizes are leading to an excessive caloric intake and in turn weight gain, which increases the risk of diabetes.

The primary source of this article is Fox News, New York, New York, on Feb. 3, 2012.

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