I’m going to deviate a little from my usual format. I read several articles (all short, don’t worry) online today about various “food issues” in the news. I’ll give you the link, then a few of my favorite excerpts, and possibly a comment or two from me. So, here are a couple of articles from USA Today that I found interesting:
Favorite Excerpts:
“Of all claims on cereal boxes, "this one belongs in the hall of fame," says Kelly Brownell, director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. "By their logic, you can spray vitamins on a pile of leaves, and it will boost immunity."
“The idea that eating Cocoa Krispies will keep a kid from getting swine flu, or from catching a cold, doesn't make sense," says Marion Nestle, nutrition professor at New York University. "Yes, these nutrients are involved in immunity, but I can't think of a nutrient that isn't involved in the immune system.”
Favorite Excerpts:
“A report released Thursday finds that even in a weak economy, people will pay a premium for products seen as preventing a health problem or providing a good alternative to sodas and empty-calorie snacks.”
“The industry calls these products "nutraceuticals" or "functional foods."
[DS] I love how they came up with a term (in particular “nutraceuticals”) instead of just calling it “food.”
"It's really a junk food dressed up to look prettier than it is," he said. "People are going to be deceived into thinking a lot of these products are especially healthy for them when there's little evidence they are. There's more hype to these products than there is reality."
“The biggest worry is that adding a nutrient will give "a health halo" to foods and lead to overconsumption, she said.”
I actually blogged about this topic here.
Favorite Excerpts:
“The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that nutritional logos from food manufacturers may be misleading consumers about the actual health benefits of cereal, crackers and other processed foods. The agency sent a letter to companies saying it will begin cracking down on inaccurate food labeling.”
[DS] I am holding off my excitement until they actually start cracking down on this problem.
“There's a growing proliferation of forms and symbols, check marks, numerical ratings, stars, heart icons and the like," said Hamburg. "There's truly a cacophony of approaches, not unlike the tower of Babel.”
[DS] It looks like all of these labeling programs are actually designed by the food manufacturers themselves. Is that not ridiculous?? Talk about a case of the fox watching the henhouse!
Favorite Excerpts:
“Some 80% of Kellogg cereals will have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving by the end of 2010. That may sound small, but foods with 3 grams are rated a good source of fiber by the government.”
[DS] Has anyone else noticed the theme here? The basic take-home message is that cereal = CRAP!
“Adding fiber alone won't make a product better, says Michael Jacobson, director of the consumer group, Center for Science in the Public Interest. "You can gussie up any product by adding fiber and vitamins," he says, but says what consumers need to check for are added sugars, sodium and dyes.”
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