(From the FT.com) A broad range of industry groups, from advertising to food companies, are lobbying against a proposal that would give the US Federal Trade Commission new powers to issue regulations.

If the measure becomes law it would eliminate restrictions in place at the consumer watchdog since the 1970s that have made it difficult for the FTC to clamp down quickly on companies that it believes participate in unfair or deceptive marketing practices. It would also give the FTC the flexibility to make mandatory rules for companies that, under the current system, are simply recommended as voluntary guidelines.

The lobbying effort to block the measure to give the FTC more power is being led by trade and lobby groups that represent Comcast, Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Kraft and dozens of other food, advertising and broadcasting companies.

Read more here: Industries fight plans for beefed-up watchdog