In Florida, it is illegal for anyone who isn’t a state-licensed dietitian to accept payment for providing nutritional advice—such as
recommending that someone follow a particular diet and supervising the person’s progress in following the diet. To become a licensed dietitian in Florida requires a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, 900 hours of practice under supervision by a licensed dietitian, passing an exam, and paying fees. An opinion column in a Florida newspaper notes that many states don’t have such licensing laws and argues, “The reality is that licensed dietitians are mostly trying to protect their own turf.”
a. Predict the effect on the price and quantity of nutritional advice offered in Florida if the Florida legislature repeals the requirement that only licensed dietitians provide such advice.
b. Can we be sure that the result of the decision will be to increase the well-being of consumers of nutritional advice in Florida? Briefly explain.