Baylen Linnekin on Austin’s Proposed Fast Food Restrictions

The Austin,
Texas, city council will meet next Thursday to consider a
resolution that could eventually ban “fast-food food restaurants
from locating near areas that children frequent.” Specifically, the
ban, or “Healthy Food Zone ordinance,” would restrict fast food
restaurants from locating anywhere near “schools, municipal parks,
child care centers, libraries and recreation centers” in the city.
At best, writes Baylen Linnekin, it’s a protectionist measure
shielding existing businesses from competition. But it also
undermines parental control without offering any health
benefits.

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