Food Nazis Go After Denny's

Openmarket.org has the details:

It seems that the food police at the unconscionably named Center for Science in the Public Interest are at it again. These are the same people who’ve attacked movie theater popcorn and who called fettuccini alfredo “heart attack on a plate.” Their new pet peeve is salt — or to be more specific, sodium. Last week, CSPI filed a class action lawsuit against the restaurant chain Denny’s, claiming that, because most Denny’s menu items contain a “high” level of sodium, the chain is engaging in consumer fraud and breaching the implied warranty of merchantability. The complaint itself, filed July 23 in Superior Court in Middlesex County, New Jersey, can be viewed here.

A full analysis of the case’s legal merits will have to wait for another day. But, suffice it to say that, by alleging on page 3 of the complaint that “Sodium is the deadliest ingredient in the food supply,” these folks aren’t beyond gross exaggeration. The gist of the argument seems to be that (1) increasing sodium intake is known to increase blood pressure; and (2) very high blood pressure is known to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke; so (3) Denny’s failure to notify customers of the total amount of sodium in its menu items is putting them at risk.

There’s a bit of sleight of hand here, of course. Although allegations 1 and 2 are true, there is no clear relationship between the slightly higher blood pressure that results from exceding the recommended daily amount of sodium intake and the very high blood pressure levels that raise the risk of heart attack or stroke. That’s why scientists have never been able to conclude that high sodium intake itself is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. It’s like arguing that mouthwash manufacturers are responsible for thousands of automobile accidents every year because we all know that mouthwash contains alcohol and that drunk driving causes auto accidents.

Unfortunately, lawsuits like these are bad news for companies like Denny’s. Most people won’t bother to see what the facts are, they’ll just hear that Denny’s is being sued for harming customers and it’ll tarnish the chain’s reputation. It’s one reason why so many unmeritorious lawsuits get settled — it’s much easier to pay the plaintiffs, change your behavior in small ways, and be done with it. Still, I hope Denny’s decides to fight this one in court. It’s about time someone started standing up to these bullies. And, if Denny’s does go to court, I for one will make an effort to eat at a Denny’s restaurant more often.

Do you know anyone who goes to Denny's expecting to find health food? Of course not. You go there because they have reasonably good food at a reasonable price, and most of their restaurants are open 24 hours making them very convenient for people looking for a meal a non-traditional mealtimes.

When I was traveling a lot with the quartet Denny's was often the only thing open late at night after our concerts and it was a frequent stopping place. We still go there from time-to-time because sometimes you just have to have a French Toast Slam. In the past couple of days I've been shredding some old tax files that weren't needed anymore and I found an awful lot of Denny's receipts.

The problem with organizations like Center for Science in the Public Interest is they base their complaints on a fraudulent premise: You'll be eating at Denny's a lot. They did the same thing when they went after Chinese food, Mexican food, movie theater popcorn, and any number of other specious complaints.

Sure, if you eat nothing but Denny's food day and night you might end up with health problems related to what's in their food, be it fat or salt. But real people don't do that. An occasional meal that higher in fat or salt will not kill you. Likewise, dropping Denny's from your list of places you visit now and then will not improve your life. It's all about moderation.

For CSPI complaints like this are all about gaining publicity and funding. If you look at the people who represent their organization they all look like terribly underfed refugees. Those people could really use a French Toast Slam every now and then.