Michael Pollan: Big Food vs Big Insurance

[sparrow13]

Writing in the NYT. Short piece.

Follow the tiny link.

http://tiny.cc/CuDl2

 

[Lastchance09]

Did you see the article below where the food industry has come up with a label called Smart Choices? They claim they are placing the label on foods that meet the government's nutrition guidelines. Critics say the label looks like an official FDA seal and will fool people into thinking they are buying healthy foods. One of those foods to get the label? Froot Loops. yep, Froot Loops.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html

 

[sparrow13]

No, I'd missed that, thanks for the link, I just read it. Totally ridiculous.

Interesting how they talk about giving consumers a choice because consumers don't like to feel that they are being dictated to. I have a feeling that the reality is exactly the opposite. I'd be willing to bet that the consumer research folks discovered that consumers prefer to not think too much about this stuff at all, and will therefore simply snatch up whatever they are told is more healthful. Hence the let's just slap on a label saying it's good for you and watch the sheep fall for it. Really, doesn't this already happen? People buy low-fat this and low-calorie that because they've been lead to believe that this is the healthy way to go, when in reality a good deal of those products are just loaded with chemical and general nastiness.

Related, I popped into the grocery store the other day to pick up some cat litter and I was absolutely shocked by the number of obese people in the store. Of course I know that we have a problem in this country but for some reason it really struck me in that moment. What are we doing to ourselves?

 

[Lastchance09]

Yeah, this is just all about money for them. I will soon expect them to be on Good Morning America or something promoting this garbage.

On your grocery store experience:

I live in a city and take public transportation. When I get off the subway and start heading up the stairs, I notice all around me my very overweight and obese neighbors. I watch them walk up those stairs as if it's taking all the life out of them. And then some of them have to stop at the top to catch their breath. And I often shake my head when I see perfectly able people taking the elevator to the street. These stairs are far from steep and it is only 1 and a half flights up.

 

[Beavs]

. Critics say the label looks like an official FDA seal and will fool people into thinking they are buying healthy foods. One of those foods to get the label? Froot Loops. yep, Froot Loops.

Seems rather poetic, doesn't it?

 

[LauraMax]

Good article, but I don't know if I entirely agree w/it. They compare health care costs in the US to other countries & blame our diet, but they only mention smoking in passing when, as I understand it (not being a world traveler so not able to speak firsthand), smoking is much more common & acceptable in Europe.

Also no mention of exercise, which certainly mitigates diabetes & other obesity related diseases. They're saying insurance cos. will encourage healthy diets for economic reasons, but not provide any incentives for exercise?

I find it interesting how everyone has their own perspective on the health care crisis in this country, which results in everyone supporting this piece or that piece, when a much broader view & much broader reform are in order. Health insurance cos. have been raping this country since the 1980s, & most pieces of fixing the problems rest w/holding them accountable (from my perspective anyway).

 

[Gayle]

Great article! I may be naive, but my biggest hope is that a grass roots food movement (like I see happening more and more on a local level) will have some effect.

Critics say the label looks like an official FDA seal and will fool people into thinking they are buying healthy foods. One of those foods to get the label? Froot Loops. yep, Froot Loops.

The CBS news had a nutrition person on the other day commenting on the ridiculousness of this specific example.

 

[sparrow13]

Great article! I may be naive, but my biggest hope is that a grass roots food movement (like I see happening more and more on a local level) will have some effect.

Me too. I know we have a long way to go but I'm encouraged by the fact that the farmer's markets in my area - and there are quite a few - are always jamming. And not just with the yuppie herds either.

 

[Gayle]

Me too. I know we have a long way to go but I'm encouraged by the fact that the farmer's markets in my area - and there are quite a few - are always jamming. And not just with the yuppie herds either.

We've had pretty decent increase in the number of Farmers Markets around here as well - with buyers from all walks of life.

Not mention that it seems like everyone is trying their hand at raising chickens!

 

[DEEDEE2]

You know, we can badger the food industry all we want but let's face it, it comes down to what people choose to eat. If people want to consume large amounts of fatty, sugery, salty and all around unhealthy food they will do it...period. Even if all the fast food joints closed down, even if all the premade foods were healthy, people who chose to eat poorly will buy their groceries and cook them the way they want them.

 

[toffeedog]

Food equates to petrol + $$$$$$$$$$$
Long and the short of it all is PROFIT.

 

[kryptychyck]

I agree, but...

You know, we can badger the food industry all we want but let's face it, it comes down to what people choose to eat. If people want to consume large amounts of fatty, sugery, salty and all around unhealthy food they will do it...period. Even if all the fast food joints closed down, even if all the premade foods were healthy, people who chose to eat poorly will buy their groceries and cook them the way they want them.

perhaps those who choose not to take care of themselves healthfully should pay more in taxes or premiums to offset the cost. It is not fair to the rest of us who work hard and eat right to be healthy have to pay for those that do not. We all make choices and I agree that we should have that right, but with choice comes responsibility and it is time for those people to take their consequences.

 

[horseshowmom]

perhaps those who choose not to take care of themselves healthfully should pay more in taxes or premiums to offset the cost. It is not fair to the rest of us who work hard and eat right to be healthy have to pay for those that do not. We all make choices and I agree that we should have that right, but with choice comes responsibility and it is time for those people to take their consequences.

Ah, yes, the sin tax...but oh, boy, isn't that a terribly slippery slope? Personally I am very tired of the government sticking its hands into my personal life everytime I turn around.

 

[PhyllisG]

Read The End of Overeating where he writes about how we are set up to want more sweet, salty fatty foods. It is interesting. I also want to say that there are communities where fresh healthy food is simply not available. You can go to sections of NYC where all you will find are bodegas and convenience stores. There is not even a supermarket or grocery store for many blocks. Let's try making healthy inexpensive food more available. To add--what about all the school districts in this country that serve unhealthy food and even have fast food companies running their cafeterias. I think a lot of the problem comes from agribusiness and until that is confronted we will have obesity. The more you eat the more you buy and the more money they make. These lobbies are strong and have a lot of power.

 

[LauraMax]

Better than taxing health clubs, which is what happened in NJ, thanks to our obese governor.

Diet & exercise will never be part of legislation until legislators start dieting & exercising.