Keywords
consumer protection, health, eating, food, regulation, restriction, marketing, advertising
Abstract
This article explores the potential for a consumer protection perspective to complement public health approaches in designing and justifying laws that aim to promote healthier eating, such as food labelling regulations or restrictions on marketing and advertising. Consumer protection and public health are distinct perspectives, but they share the goal of protecting health and both accept the need for regulation to protect important interests. Consumer protection objectives could be used to defend public health measures that are challenged as infringing rights or restricting trade. Insights from consumer law and scholarship could also contribute to discussions about when regulatory intervention to promote healthier eating is justified and the form that intervention should take. Since those working in public health and consumer protection have been engaged in similar debates, they have much to learn from each other and may be able to support each other in pursuit of common goals.
Recommended Citation
Barbara von Tigerstrom, "A Consumer Protection Perspective on Regulation for Healthier Eating" (2016) 39:2 Dal LJ 471.
