“In the fast-food industry, legal advocacy is the unsung hero tirelessly working

to safeguard consumer interests, promote transparency, and raise bar for ethical
standard- because every bite matters.”- John Smith. The theme of this research is
“Consumer Protection” related to the topic “How does legal advocacy safeguard
consumer interest, promote transparency and ethical standards within the fast-food
industry?” On personal note this topic has pique my interest because I want to
understand how legal expertise influences consumer safety and fairness within
industries. Consumer protection in the fast-food industry involves legal advocacy to
safeguard consumer interests, promote transparency, and uphold ethical standards.
Legal advocates work to ensure accurate labelling, disclosure of nutritional
information, and fair business practices. By holding fast food establishments
accountable, these advocates contribute to a healthier and more informed consumer
environment. Transparency and ethical standards become integral components,
fostering trust between consumers and the fast-food industry. Therefore, this
exposition will highlight the safeguarding of consumer interest with legal advocacy,
promoting of transparency with legal advocacy and promoting of ethical standards with
legal advocacy within the fast-food industry using both primary and secondary source.

The primary source was a printed questionnaire, various information was collected
from respondents which after insights into consumer perceptions, awareness levels, and
personal experiences as well as opinions related to the role of legal advocacy in
safeguarding consumer interests, promoting transparency and ethical standards within
fast-food industry. While the three secondary sources are online articles. My first
secondary source published by Srishti Singhion and Mehr Sidu, November 04, 2019,
which outlines how the New Protection Act 2019 in India has expanded its jurisdiction
to cover the food industry, particularly food aggregators like Zomato. My second source
published at National Consumer League, June 09, 2022, which released a report
emphasising seven priorities for regulatory action to ensure transparent labelling of
plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) in the fast-food industry. My final secondary
source, published by Sylva Ezema Kalu and Daniel Charles Enyia, which highlights the
crucial role of ethical standards in promoting the growth and survival of organizations,
particularly within the fast-food industry. As it relates to the primary source now, there
is one challenge I encountered during this research which is the costs.

Firstly, the safeguarding of consumer interest with legal advocacy within fast food
industry. Srishti Singhion and Mehr Sidu (2019) postulate that, legal advocacy plays a
crucial role in safeguarding consumer interests in the fast-food industry, especially
considering the Consumer Protection Act 2019. The highlighted points supporting this
are

1. Misleading Advertisement: The Act defines "Misleading Advertisement" and

provides penalties for false guarantees or concealed information. Legal advocates
can help consumers take action against food aggregators, such as Zomato, if they
are misled by campaigns like the logout initiative, ensuring fair practices and
transparency.
 2. Unfair Contract: The Act introduces the concept of "unfair contract," protecting
consumers from terms that violate their interests. Legal advocacy can scrutinize
contracts between consumers and food aggregators, ensuring fairness and
preventing practices like unilateral termination without reasonable cause.

3. Product Liability: Legal advocates can assist consumers in seeking compensation

for harm caused by defective goods or services, such as wrongly delivered food
items. This provision holds food aggregators accountable for the quality and
accuracy of the products they deliver, promoting consumer safety.

4. Central Consumer Protection Authority: The establishment of the Central

Consumer Protection Authority empowers legal advocates to file class action
suits on behalf of consumers. This authority can take proactive measures against
food aggregators that engage in unfair trade practices, false advertisements, or
violate consumer rights.

With support from my primary source, particularly question #3 which stated, “what
legal advocates can take action against misleading advertisement pertaining to the food
industries?” 75% of the respondents said, “seeking penalties for false guarantees or
concealed information” 20% said “conducting public awareness campaigns” while 5%
said “collaborating with advertising agencies to ensure compliance.” It was concluded
that majority (15) of the respondents would seek penalties for false guarantees or
concealed information.

Hence, legal advocacy can act as a vigilant guardian of consumer interests in the fast-
food industry, leveraging the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019 to ensure
transparency, fairness, and accountability among food aggregators and other
stakeholders.

Addition, legal advocacy promoting transparency with the fast-food industry.

The website National Consumer League (2022) which entitled “Consumers need
transparency in labeling of plant-based meat alternatives” postulate that, Legal
advocacy can play a vital role in promoting transparency in the fast-food industry,
particularly in the context of labelling plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). Here are
key points highlighting how legal advocacy can contribute to transparency:
 1. Standardizing Definitions: Legal advocates can push for the establishment of
clear definitions for terms like "plant-based meat alternatives" to ensure
consistency in labelling across the industry. This clarity helps consumers
understand the nature of the products they are purchasing.

2. Preventing Deceptive Brand Names: Advocacy efforts can focus on preventing

deceptive practices, urging regulators to prohibit brand names that mislead
consumers into believing a product contains meat, seafood, or eggs when it does
not. Legal measures can ensure that brand names accurately represent the
product's composition.

3. Standardized Labels: Legal advocacy can call for standardized and transparent
labelling practices. This includes using common names that link the protein
source and form, making clear if the product contains animal proteins in
addition to plant-based ones, and using qualifying terms such as "plant-based"
or "made from plants."

4. Regulation of Health/Nutrition Claims: Legal advocates can work towards

regulatory guidelines that ensure health and nutrition claims on PBMAs
undergo rigorous scrutiny. This prevents misleading information and ensures
that claims align with scientific evidence, similarly to regulations for traditional
food products.

With support of my primary source, particularly question#7 which stated “

Hence, legal advocacy can be a powerful force in shaping regulations and

practices that enhance transparency in the fast-food industry, specifically in the
emerging market of plant-based meat alternatives. By addressing labelling concerns
and promoting informative practices, legal advocates contribute to a more transparent
and consumer-friendly food landscape.

Finally, legal advocacy promoting ethical standards within the fast-food industry. Sylva
Ezema Kalu and Daniel Charles Enyia emphasizes the importance of ethics in business,
particularly in the context of the fast-food industry, with a focus on advertising and
pricing ethics. It highlights those stakeholders, including customers, are increasingly
aware of unethical practices and value organizations that prioritize ethical standards.
The role of regulatory agencies, technological advancements like USSD codes, and
government-imposed regulations is acknowledged as a means to enforce ethical
behavior in dealings with stakeholders. The study indicates that legal advocacy and
penalties imposed by regulatory agencies, such as the National Agency for Food and
Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), serve as deterrents, encouraging firms,
especially in the fast-food industry, to uphold ethical principles in areas like pricing.
The findings suggest that legal measures and regulatory frameworks can contribute to
promoting ethical standards and preventing misleading advertising and pricing
practices in the fast-food sector. With support of my primacy source, particularly
question #5 which stated, “what actions legal advocacy can take to promote ethical
standards within fast food industries?” 45% of the respondents (9) said “serving as
deterrent and encouraging firms to uphold ethical principles.” 45% said “imposing
penalties on businesses for ethical violation.” While 10% said “raise awareness about
ethical practices.” It was concluded that majority of the respondents would serve as
deterrent and encourage firms to uphold their ethical principles and impose penalties
on ethical violation on businesses.

The questionnaire was useful as its combined open-ended and closed-ended

questions which provide comprehensive insights. Open-ended questions allow
respondents to express nuanced views, while closed-ended questions offer quantitative
data. This mix helps capture both qualitative perspectives on legal advocacy's role and
quantifiable data on perceived transparency and ethical standards in the fast-food
industry. While the secondary sources which are articles are qualified to give relevant
information because it made a reference to the authors and the information gathered
was from a website like mondaq, NCL and ResearchGate. The questionnaire was
reliable and prove qualified, since the information was gathered from consumer from
food industries to gain their insight on legal advocacy.

The context of source 1 which is a primary source(questionnaire). This source

was advantageous since it allowed the respondents to express their opinions on the
topic. The context for the secondary sources which are articles was advantageous
because it gives a more comprehension understanding, which give the researcher
further understanding of the theme and topic at hand. However, as for the
questionnaire respondents can find questions unclear and can give biased response
which can impact the credibility of the data obtained. Pertaining to the secondary
sources(articles) it gives a rounder comprehensive information whether to trust the
information or not that was published. Therefore, it will affect the credibility of the
information.