SubscribeShould We Ban Fast Food Restaurants?
Los Angeles officials are considering implementing a 2 year ban on new fast food outlets in the south of the district.
"The people don't want them [fast food outlets], but when they don't have any other options, they may gravitate to what's there,"
The LA Times has counted up the restaurants:
...analysis of the city's roughly 8,200 restaurants found that South Los Angeles has the highest concentration of fast-food eateries. Per capita, the area has fewer eating establishments of any kind than the Westside, downtown or Hollywood, and about the same as the Valley. But a much higher percentage of those are fast-food chains. South L.A. also has far fewer grocery stores.
A previous discussion looked at implementing obesity-related legislation. Here's why I feel uncomfortable with these sorts of bans:
- Advertisers (especially fast food vendors) spend billions of dollars trying convince us to buy their products. Why? Because we - the customers - are the key to their bottom line (and ultimately their survival as a business).
- If - in great numbers - consumers refuse to shop at a certain place - that company will suffer. Never underestimate the power you have in your pocket book (or wallet).
- If the local people of South LA didn't spend their money on junk food, then the outlets wouldn't be there (and there would be no need for legislation).
There are areas in the world where McDonald's outlets have been closing. Why? Not because of legislation but because people got sick of McDonald's food.
More like this in Big Business · Sep 11, 2007
... let's see, a town of 11,000 people on the edge of Dartmoor, and an area of Los Angeles that includes Watts, Compton and Inglewood (my father grew up here and I have family in this area). Call me cynical, but it's really hard for me to imagine the locals of South LA unifying against the fast food industry in the way that the folks in Tavistock did.
Yeah, McDonald's is closing in other places, too. But, in the US, it's almost always because of competition from other fast food chains. I just drove through a newly developed area of Temecula, California - several miles of new shopping center after new shopping center, all opened in the last decade. I didn't do a scientific survey, but the centers appeared to be filled with fast food stores and big box outlets. I saw one supermarket...
I understand your discomfort, but I'd sure love to see some better food choices and grocery stores in South LA.
ReplyWhat is it with this preoccupation with banning things? One of the great things about America is its free market system (or what remains of it). Businesses thrive where there is a demand for the products.
Fast food per se is not "bad." The fallacy of "Supersize Me" was the quantity the idiot ate, which he did as a publicity stunt.
ReplyI'm not sure banning new fast food restaurants all together is the right way to go. If people want fast food - they're going to get it. I think it's better to set regulations like what some states have done by not allowing restaurants to use products with trans fat.
I also think it's important that people get educated on what eating a healthy diet means. So many people I know underestimate by a lot how many calories and grams of fat they consume when they eat out.
So no, banning isn't the answer. Educating people on how to make healthy choices so that they can live a better life will help, I think.
ReplyLegislating fast food isn't the answer. Researchers are scambling trying to figure out why America is so fat. And the truth is that there isn't just one reason—there are numerous factors that play a role. Fast food is only part of the equation. Lately a lot of strange studies have come out, too, like the one that noted if people hang out together and one gets fat, the other will likely get fat, too. My concern is that we will turn to legislative answers without really solving any of the problems. Will it be a crime to be overweight one day?
ReplyFast food is nasty, so I wouldn't be sad to see its retailers replaced by something tastier. But the people have spoken -- they want quarter pounders, and they want them now. If everyday Americans want to eat themselves to death, by all means let them.
ReplyTotally ridiculous... we should not band fast food restaurants, we should EDUCATE our children (and ourselves) on how often to go there and to control our diet.
Replyis this the Prohibition of Fastfood? lol.
there are some fast food joints with some healthy choices on their menu. its all about the person ordering. i agree with the morbid me on the fact that we need to educate ourselves.
ReplyWow some of you actually think some things on a fast food menu are good for you? That is the problem here. We need more education. No fast food chain has anything actually healthy. Sorry Subway and your processed meat non-whole grain sodium sandwiches.
We live in a free market. I saw two Wendys close last month. If people didn't want to eat it the "restaurant" would close.
ReplyHonestly, I think it's high time we regulated junk food purveyors. While I"m American and liberty-minded enough that I think folks should be able to buy junk if they want, I think that to get licensed as a profit-making eatery, you need to offer at least 30% of your menu as healthful options. Not just throw a limp salad at people and call it a day. No, real healthful alternatives. If you offer french fries, you need to offer something else, like sweet potatoes baked or roast potatoes. If you offer fatty McFatty tripleburgers, you need to offer extra lean burgers or veggie burgers on multigrain buns. If you offer shakes, you need to offer low-fat or fat free smoothies. If you offer greasy breakfast sandwiches, then you need to offer lean version or oatmeal with blueberries or somesuch. In other words, balance. And all menu boards need to have the calories and saturated/trans fats in big ass numbers right next to the item name.
I would ban ads for all junk foods both on daytime tv aimed at kids and nightime aimed at adults. If you can't advertise cigarettes, then why should you be able to advertise pepperoni pizzas with oily dips or cookies or triple burgers or other artery-clogging crap.
And I can't believe it's taken THIS long to start having changes at school menus. Egads. I remember the stuff I was fed: greasy grilled cheese, sloppy joes, pizza with beef, fried chicken. Cake. Cookies. In school. Unbelievable.
Ban that. And tax all junk food an extra 50 cents per item to fund better health care and nutritional public service ads.
Mir
ReplyI don't think banning establishments is the answer. Banning trans fats and HFCS would be a good alternate step.
ReplyThis inane proposal does nothing to encourage wholesome food restaurants, but only seeks to keep things from getting worse.
I think it would be better to instead give breaks and incentives to new restaurants which are owner-founder operated, rather than franchised.
ReplyP.S. Isn't there some little owner-operated Mexican restaurants in South L.A.? Don't they have an immigrant community, and ethnic restaurant/groceries?
You know, like I've seen in every other city in the world, including my little Kalamazoo.
Especially in the poorer neighborhoods. Like a Big Moe's BBQ or Juanita's Kitchen. You get the idea. Why not in South L.A.?
ReplyWhat's wrong with fast food?! I really like crunchy fries and ketchup. Or a big burger with a big steak of meat on it and a thick slice of cheddar.
ONCE A MONTH! And then I go exercising, as I do every other day anyway. The rest of the month I eat vegetable soups, whole grain bread with lean ham, a small steak with lots of broccoli or sushi. That with a glass of wine, a salad on the side and a square of chocolat for dessert.
A ban isn't the answer. Unfortunatly it isn't that easy... (What would it say, anyway? "No restaurant that serves in less than ten minutes"? or "No restaurant that serves more than half a pound of meat per person"? Or why not just "No restaurant that serves people weighing more than 200 lbs"?) Education, yes, but how far can education take a lazy humanity? No, I'm not optimistic. And yet a healthy life is so easy and fulfilling!
ReplyIt's nobody's business what anyone else eats.
ReplyYou're right, this proposal has the feel of despair to it. But, to the others - they're not talking about banning fast food, but rather not building any more, for awhile. If it starts a discussion, and maybe results in putting in some Safeways with better ready-to-eat food (like they have in, oh, Torrance and Grenada Hills), then maybe it would be better.
ReplyNo, that's ridiculous. There is healthy food, even at a place like Wendy's (baked potatoes, salads, small cup of chili, water, yada yada). Does that mean that Starbucks should be closed too? And all bakeries? And that we're going to go through supermarkets and remove all potato chips and bacon? Every once in a while, a junk food burger is tasty--just not every day or even every week.
ReplyNot everyone is overweight. Not everyone has heart disease. Why should the government ban certain foods that a segment of the population can eat without problems? I think we're adopting a George Orwell "Big Brother" mentality with all these legislative bans on food and food ingredients.
ReplyI think this rhetoric about freedom and free market many often proves fatalistic and self-defeating. When there is a national crisis -- and obesity IS a national crisis -- then some drastic means are quite justified. I know, the word "ban" is very draconian but just like we try to protect our population against narcotics we should also protect it from fast foods.
ReplyOh!
I finally figured it out (slapping head). The title of this article is misleading.
Los Angeles IS NOT CONSIDERING BANNING FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS.
Los Angeles is considering a moratorium on new fast food restaurants in one region of the city.
Oy!
ReplyThank you! I may find even one fast food burger disgusting. Other people may find beets and lima beans gross. Yes, there are consequences of basing your diet on junk food, but people are AWARE of these consequences. If they are adults, they can make their own choices. (I always hear the health care cost argument here, but what about smoking? what about not wearing sunscreen? or choosing not to get a hysterectomy when you're at a high risk for ovarian cancer? People die, sometimes partly of their own doing. It's sad, but so is a life with no risks taken.)
I wholeheartedly support legislation that makes information more accessible. But the obvious stuff - McDonald's is not health food - is pretty common knowledge. As for the more nuances stuff? The headstrong opinions are way ahead of the science here. It does bother me that it's a lot harder for some people to be healthy than others, but that doesn't mean banning junk will make apples and grilled chicken breasts rain down like manna.
I guess I just have a lot of trouble with the idea that what someone else chooses to eat is some sort of moral issue. My salad might not clog my arteries like someone else's bacon cheeseburger, but it doesn't make me a superior person worthy of dictating what others should do.
ReplyHmmmm....I think some people haven't the slightest clue about freedom and why people try to get into this country.
Every day on my way home from work I drive past BK, White Castle, Wendy's, KFC, McDonalds, Long John Silvers and not one of the employees went in front of my vehicle pointing a .357 magnum forcing me into their establishment, taking my wallet and exchanging it for their food.
It's obvious many of you do not believe in personal responsibility. Obesity will never kill as many people close to what socialism and communism has.
Maybe it's time some komrads drop their diet book and read a history book.
I sure enjoyed the 2/3$ Bic Macs with large fries yesterday. I wanted them and the only time I will ever eat Bic Macs is when they are on sale.
When I'm health conscious, I make my own food becuase I know what's in it. Fast food is far from economical.
Does anyone have any intelligence to look at this proposed ban? Right in Communist Kalifornia. Lost Angeles can always use more unemployed people.
The No Smoking Ban in the city of Chicago has hurt some businesses while increased revenue in the suburbs.
ReplySocialism kills? Whew, don't tell those dastardly Scandinavian countries!
ReplyNo, obesity is not a national crisis for the simple reason people have the right to be obese and skinny -- and stupid, for that matter.
Why are you so concerned with someone else's size? Or with what they eat? How do these things affect you?
ReplyIt's sort of an interesting concept, but I don't think it's going to affect the behavior of the people that frequently eat at fast food joints. If they can't build franchises in South LA, they will likely build right on the edge of the ban zone and people will just drive or walk a little farther to get their Big Macs. I don't think the ban will change anyone's behavior. It's just like with the smoking ban that they recently implemented here...all the bars are now building on the edge of town to sidestep the ban. Make more rules and people will just find more ways to get around them, pure and simple.
ReplyOkay, yes, you're right. But, this was proposed by LA Council member Jan Perry, representative of District 9. She's no dummy (nor is she a Kalifornia Communist, sheesh). Her big issues are air quality, public involvement (not surprising given the gang problems in her district), promoting a jazz festival, and working to get a Ralph's opened downtown (the first grocery store opened in downtown in 50 years). You can read about her on her web site: her bio is at http://www.lacity.org/council/cd9/cd9bo1.htm.
I think Jan knows a heck of a lot more about personal responsibility than many of the Liberty Flamers up above.
Honest, this is my last post.
ReplyI think we should ban all fast food restaurants. Even better, let's ask our politicians to legislate - anyone cooking something bad, approved by the all knowing Congress of course, should be punished! Maybe we should make them wear a sign on their sleeve, or tattoo their forarms! Yeah! Bastards! They made me fat! It's all their fault!
We have the FDA approving drugs that kill people left and right, cannot control the food supply, and we want them (government/politicians) to legislate what is and is not healthy?
I think the trans fat, and foie gras ban is idiotic at best.
I venture to say, that for every single thing we say is "healthy" today, I can find something approved to be "healthy" a decade ago - yet today is considered a carcinogenic.
And vice versa, things we deemed horribly detrimental turned out to be essential.
You want politicians deciding? They can barely find their own mouths (to hold shut), yet we will entrust them with restrictions?
No thanks.
ReplyWhy do we keep blaming the fast food companies about the US being over weight as it is the people who eat the food is the problem. If you want to be healthy don't eat the food as I eat at these places only twice a month and am in great shape. It is not the fast food companies fault but your own.
Replychicken breasts (may need to remove the breaded skin), salads, water, fruits. these are available in fast food joints.
ReplyI'm so tired of this big brother mentality. Free will people! Unless fast food restaurants are conning people into eating, I don't see the point. And dang it! Why can't we be unhealthy every once in a while? All in moderation I say. Why torture yourself?
ReplyAn early item in your comments seems germane: advertising. Fastfood joints like millions of other products advertise. The most brilliant psychogists and communicators are in advertising. Banning fastfood legislatively can work; I have no problem with that. We ban adult book stores in areas that put childen at risk and liquor stores in areas that might egregiously encourage drunk driving. However, I think educating people vigorously and effectively about the seductive power of advertising is paramount to changing the way we eat. The food industry produces ads that work, that elicit buying behavior. Public service ads dont compete well; they dont elicit non-buying behavior. Why? The people don't buy the message, they hear but don't respond. The missing ingredient is IMPACT. Commercial ads don't care about anything--accuracy, truth, welfare of buyer--so long as the ad has IMPACT. Only one thing matters to the corporation: write a check or open your wallet.
To a degree we are all dupes and marks of slick advertisers. We have to wise up one at a time. Our enlightened self interest bears little relationship to the economic self interest of fast food corporations. When we catch on to this and summon the gumption to change our eating habits, we will eat better and lose weight. Not because we avoid quarter pounders but because we understand how to live better and as part of it, eat more healthily. Don't worry, there will be plenty of new enterprises that make fortunes marketing more healthy alternatives..McVeggies anyone?
ReplyWhy, oh why, do americans believe that living in a left wing country is equal to business control in all areas??? lol
Anyway, to the point :) i don't believe in bans on anything, much less food. Let's face it: if i want to stuff my face in junk food, I can do it at home. Are we going to forbid unhealthy food in supermarkets, as well???
If I eat a big mac instead of soup, that's my fault!
In Portugal we have dozens of McDonalds, KFC, pizza hut and all that. But we also hundreds of small tradicional groceries, supermarkets with loads of veggies, fruits and healthy food, like whole products. So, if I buy french fries, coke fat food, that's my problem, my fault, not theirs!
by the way, I'm curious: do mcdonalds in usa have vegetable soup? they have in Portugal ;)
ReplyChicken at McDonalds has a lot of fat. The salads have as much fat as burgers, more sugar than cookies and about the same amount of sodium.
Who is going to a fast food place for fruit and water?
Stop trying to justify your fast food habits.
ReplyOf course not. People should have the choice to eat whatever they want and learn to take responsibility for their decision. It's not my business to try and force someone not to eat a Big Mac.
ReplyHA! Excellent retort, Christine.
ReplyPersonally, I do not consume fast food that much. But I don't hate them, just don't think they are healthy and proper for everyone, especially for those who eat them every day. I don't think we should ban the fast food restaurants, because there's no rule say we cannot eat fast food. It just we have to learn how to eat them in a healthy way. Some fast food restuarants have fat free meal, and i think they are good choice to order.
ReplyWhat fast food place has a "fat free meal"? Show me.
Replyfast food is very un healthy but tasty
Replyi think that is a good idea but who actually buys fruit and veg from fast food stores
Replyi love fastfood shop because i am really fat.
ReplyIt has been obvious for decades that Americans are incapable of living healthy lifestyles:
The U S Surgeon General reports that approximately 40% of US adults use tobacco regularly and almost half of teens ages 13 - 19 smoke.
The UCLA RAND Center found that smoking leads to a 21% rise in health care costs and 28% rise in medication costs (an average $230 per year) and that more than 430,000 die each year from smoking related illnesses.
The USSG reports that about 65% of Americans are overweight to obese.
The Centers for Disease Control report that about 13% of US children ages 8 - 16 are overweight to obese; Less than 15% of US adults exercise 60 minutes or more a minimum of 3 times each week; Less than 10% of kids ages 8 - 18 exercise for 60 minutes or more 3 times a week; More than 300,000 people die each year from illnesses caused by or made worse by obesity,
The UCLA RAND Center found that obesity raises a person’s health care costs by 36% and medication costs by 77% (an average $395 per year) and they have 30% - 50% more chronic health problems.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U S spending for health care will top 3 trillion by 2010.
BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts reports that 57% of all illness & injury is a direct result of lifestyle.
More iisues like these can be seen on Fat2Trim.com. Why do you think Massachusetts passed "Mandatory Minimum Health Insurance into LAW in April of this year?!
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