WHY FOOD INDUSTRY IS DAMNED-MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS!

Is there any honest business man left on this planet? An interesting question that may elicit strong reaction from people who feel that the industry works on a single point agenda, that is to increase their business turn over and profit margin  at "any cost". But is it really true? The answer is both "yes" and "no". Yes, because the corporate business entities will have to answer to their stake holders about the economic efficiency of their working but it may be a resounding no if the means to achieve higher profitability is critically scrutinized. Obviously industry does not run charity and the investments made must earn decent returns which is understandable. More or less critics, many in number, are not questioning this right of the industry but want transparent means to achieve positive results without hurting the consumer or the health of the society in general. Here is an interesting commentary on the "unethical" but legal means deployed by the corporate business sector to influence, cajole and push the consumer to eating more and more foods, many of which do not satisfy the nutritional and health criteria that qualify them as good food.  

"Bigger, juicier, saltier, sweeter, crunchier. Most of all, more. The food industry and its nonstop marketing has been tabbed by many experts as a major player in the obesity epidemic. "The result of constant exposure to today's 'eat more' food environment," write Marion Nestle and Malden Nesheim in their upcoming book Why Calories Count, "has been to drive people to desire high-calorie foods and to become 'conditioned over eaters.'" Even as the food industry takes steps seemingly in the right direction--by launching campaigns to bring healthy products to schools, for example--wellness initiatives are often just marketing ploys, contends David Ludwig, a pediatrician and coauthor of a commentary published in 2008 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that raised questions about whether big food companies can be trusted to help combat obesity. Ultimately, he has argued, makers of popular junk foods have an obligation to stockholders to maximize profits, which means encouraging consumers to eat more--not less--of a company's products. Health experts including Ludwig and Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, both of whom have long histories of tracking the food industry, spoke with U.S. News and highlighted 10 things that junk food makers don't want you to know about their products and how they promote them. Here's a peek behind the curtain:"

The controversy regarding the role played by the government in "disciplining" the industry is becoming increasingly harsh with sizable citizenry even doubting the bonafides of the former in protecting the their interests and allegations regarding the strong lobbying power of industry and its influence on government policy making are striking resonance with the consumers. Many examples are being quoted to "prove" the nexus between government and industry in modifying the standards of safety to the advantage of the industry. Critics like Marion Nestle, Malden Nesheim and others have vast audience when they pull up the industry for valid reasons and their voice cannot be silenced any more. Either the industry must have strong self-discipline or it must be forcefully disciplined to protect precious lives of the citizens who depend heavily on the products turned out by it.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com