HB193 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Kerry Rich
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Paul W. Lee Barry Moore Ed Henry John Merrill Mike Jones Paul Beckman
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Civil actions, obesity or weight gain, suits prohibited, limited exceptions, Commonsense Consumption Act
Summary: HB193 would largely shield food manufacturers and related entities from civil suits over weight gain or obesity linked to long-term, ordinary consumption of food, with narrow exceptions.
What This Bill Does
The bill bars civil actions against food manufacturers, packers, distributors, holders, sellers, marketers, advertisers, and others involved with food for claims about weight gain, obesity, or related conditions resulting from long-term consumption. It creates limited exceptions for cases involving material adulteration or misbranding violations (or other material violations) that are knowing and willful and proximately caused the injury. It also sets pleading requirements and allows a stay of discovery in exempted cases; the act applies to claims filed after it becomes law and takes effect immediately.

Who It Affects
Food manufacturers, packers, distributors, carriers, holders, sellers, marketers, and advertisers of food products would be protected from most weight-gain or obesity-related civil actions.
Consumers or plaintiffs who might sue for weight-gain claims would generally be barred, except in cases where the claim involves a material adulteration or misbranding violation (or other knowing and willful violation) that caused injury.

Key Provisions
Section 3 bars civil actions against covered food entities for weight gain/obesity claims based on long-term consumption, with limited exceptions.
Section 4 creates narrow carve-outs for claims tied to adulteration/misbranding violations or other material, knowing and willful violations that proximately caused injury, allowing exceptions to the ban.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Civil Procedure