Do you know that you can’t say bad things about big, corporate agriculture without the possibility of being sued? If you are a critic of big ag, or the industrial food system, they can sue you (in 13 states) for tarnishing their fine reputation. (Even if it what you say is true.)
Food libel laws, also known as “food disparagement laws“, “veggie libel laws“, or “veggie hate laws“, are laws passed in 13 U.S. states that make it easier for food industry interests to sue their critics for libel. These 13 states are: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas. [1] Many of the food-disparagement laws punish First Amendment-protected expression, establish a lower standard for civil liability, allow for punitive damages and attorneys fees for plaintiffs alone[2], regardless of the case’s outcome. Meaning, even if a defendant is found innocent of libel he or she may still have to pay the legal fees for his or her prosecution.
Does this violate free speech in America? Hell yes! (but what’s new…) Oprah Winfrey is perhaps the most recognized case where the meat industry tried to sue her for “food libel”. She won, but the battle isn’t over. In the 13 states listed above, you can be sued for libel if you go against the will of the industrial food complex.
More about this can be found in the movie Food Inc. Do your homework… support local farms, eat local, and support the projects that support local farms.
Last 3 posts by Jim Sincock
- Local Foods, Local Jobs Act - March 26th, 2012
- Hospitals incorporate farmers markets into facilities - February 17th, 2012
- New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - January 26th, 2012
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I saw Food Inc. last night and was wondering how documentaries like this can be shown. Don’t they violate the libel laws?