Page:Pelman v. McDonald's Corporation (S.D.N.Y. 2003).pdf/5



Defendants McDonald’s Corporation (“McDonalds Corp.”); McDonald’s Restaurants of New York, Inc. (“McDonalds of New York”); McDonald’s 1865 Bruckner Boulevard Bronx, New York (“Bruckner Boulevard outlet”); and McDonald’s 2630 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, New York (“Jerome Avenue outlet”) (collectively “McDonalds”) have moved pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to dismiss the complaint of class-action plaintiffs Ashley Pelman, Roberta Pelman, Jazlen Bradley, and Israel Bradley. The plaintiffs have cross-moved to remand the case to state court.

This action presents unique and challenging issues. The plaintiffs have alleged that the practices of McDonalds in making and selling their products are deceptive and that this deception has caused the minors who have consumed McDonalds’ products to injure their health by becoming obese. Questions of personal responsibility, common knowledge and public health are presented, and the role of society and the courts in addressing such issues.

The issue of determining the breadth of personal responsibility underlies much of the law: where should the line be drawn between an individual’s own responsibility to take care of herself, and society’s responsibility to ensure that others shield her? Laws are created in those situations where individuals are somehow unable to protect themselves and where society needs to provide a buffer between the individual and some other entity—whether herself, another individual or a behemoth corporation that spans the globe. Thus Congress provided that essentially all packaged foods sold at retail shall be appropriately labeled and their contents described. The Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990, Pub.L. 101–535, 104 Stat. 2343 (Nov. 8, 1990) (the “NLEA”), 21 U.S.C. § 343(q). Also as a matter of