BRIEF NEWS FROM BIG FOOD

PepsiCo Now Sells Smart Choices

Food and beverage giant PepsiCo has announced the introduction of the Smart Spot symbol, “designed to help U.S. consumers identify more than 100 of the company's food and beverage choices that contribute to healthier lifestyles.” Starting in September, the small green circle will carry the message "Smart Choices Made Easy" and will appear on brands such as Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay, Quaker and Diet Pepsi. PepsiCo chairman and chief executive Steve Reinemund explains: “Consumers increasingly want help achieving energy balance. PepsiCo is committed to offering a spectrum of products that include Smart Spot choices as well as fun-for-you products, and to encouraging healthier lifestyles."

The Smart Spot criteria include limits on the amount of saturated fat and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium and added sugar, and are based on statements from the FDA. “We are putting a substantial amount of money behind this," said Reinemund. "It's not something we thought of as sort of an interesting marketing gimmick. Not everybody knows about the health benefits of our products. There are so many messages out there that the consumer is confused.”

Sources: PepsiCo Press Release, 07/29/04
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=78265&p=IROL-NewsText&t=Regular&id=598847&
Dallas Morning News, 07/30/04
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/073004dnbuspepsi.a9e1a.html
Prepared Foods, 08/02/04
http://www.preparedfoods.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/PF_Newsletter_Item/0,8364,130337,00.html

Tyson Foods: Meat is Power

Tyson Foods, the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork has launched a new campaign that “recognizes Tyson's position as the premier provider of protein by pointing to the role meat protein plays in the diet.” Based on months of consumer research, the campaign’s theme is, "Powered by Tyson” and is described as: “protein=energy=power.” The campaign is set to launch August 30, with media spending estimated at $75 million over the next 12 months. The ads will feature a humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach, showing people doing things a little better than others, all because they are "Powered by Tyson."

According to Tyson Chief Marketing Officer, Bob Corscadden: "We have built an already-strong Tyson brand by knowing our customers, retailers and foodservice operators, better than anyone else. However to win today and into the future, we must also truly understand the end consumer – the people who ultimately eat our products. We will use that understanding and insight to create great new products and services that enrich the lives of consumers. This, in turn powers our customers, and ultimately powers success for ourselves and our shareholders."

Source: Press Release, Tyson Foods, 08/04/04
http://www.tysonfoodsinc.com/corporate/news/viewNews.asp?article=1488

Nestle Targets Diabetics

Nestle, the world’s largest food company, best known for its candy and ice cream is now targeting an unlikely market: people with diabetes. One new product, the "Carb Select" Nestle Crunch bar has no sugar and fewer calories than the normal version, but per ounce, has 22% more saturated fat and 42% more sodium. Health experts worry that diabetics, especially children, may be tempted to satisfy cravings by eating low-sugar, reduced-carb products, without regard to their fat and sodium content.

Under a sponsorship deal, the American Diabetic Association (ADA) will send information about certain Nestle products to its members and others seeking dietary advice, in exchange for an undisclosed fee. For the fiscal year ending June 2003, Nestle contributed more than $100,000, while Kraft donated more than $250,000 to the ADA, according to the group’s annual report. The ADA says that only about 10% of its budget comes from corporate deals.

Source: Wall Street Journal, 07/20/04

Subway Highlights Childhood Obesity

The fast food chain Subway, with 15,874 outlets in the U.S. (even more than McDonald’s), has launched a new national campaign called, “F.R.E.S.H. Steps Initiative,” designed to “raise awareness and educate communities on the need to prevent and treat childhood obesity, empowering kids and adults to Feel Responsible, Energized, Satisfied and Happy by making healthful choices and leading active lives.”

To launch the campaign, last month on the National Mall, Subway founder and CEO Fred DeLuca was flanked by the American Heart Association (AHA), members of Congress, including Rose DeLauro, (D-Connecticut) whose district contains Subway's corporate headquarters, and various "nutritional experts" to "galvanize support for fighting childhood obesity." According to the AHA, Subway has given the nonprofit $4 million since 2002, and will give an additional $6 million through 2007. In exchange, Subway gets to put the AHA "fighting heart disease and stroke" logo on its materials throughout its chain of stores. The AHA says it will only accept sponsorships from "those restaurants that have a public/market positioning associated with healthy foods or have heart-healthy and non-fried food alternatives on the menu."

Sources: Common Dreams, 07/14/04
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0714-02.htm
Subway Website
http://www.subway.com/subwayroot/MenuNutrition/index.aspx

FIGHTING BACK: POLICY GAINS AND OTHER GOOD NEWS

The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced last month that it would eventually eliminate billions of dollars of farm subsidies for rich nations in a new framework for revising global trade rules aimed at helping the world's poorest nations. Officials hope for a successful conclusion to the negotiations in 2006, about the time that Congress will be renewing the farm program, which will have to include any WTO changes.

The United States agreed with other wealthy nations to a 20 percent cut in some of its farm subsidies, which could include some of the $19 billion annual payout to farmers who raise cotton, rice, corn, wheat, and soybeans. But several developing countries questioned whether there would be an overall reduction in American subsidies or simply shifting subsidies from one category to another. The United Nations has said that the $300 billion in annual subsidies and supports given to farmers in the world's wealthiest nations are some of the worst injustices in the global economy.

Source: New York Times, 08/01/04

Texas Sets School Nutrition Guidelines

After taking the state’s school system by storm earlier this year with promises of overhauling school food, the Texas Department of Agriculture is now taking action. A new set of guidelines will affect all food served or sold on public school campuses, including snacks and beverages from vending machines. “The portion sizes are the biggest change,” said Beth Wallace, food service director. For example, in the cafeteria, high school students will be limited to 3-ounce servings of all fried potato products. Soft drinks will be sold in containers no larger than 12 ounces and only available outside the cafeteria. Chips will be limited to 1.25 ounces, cookies to 2 ounces and frozen desserts to 4 ounces. Candy bars will shrink to 1.5 ounces.

Portion sizes are only half the battle. The new policy also limits grams of fat per serving. Food items containing more than 28 grams of fat per serving can only be served twice per week. By 2006-07, the limit will be reduced to 23 grams. And by the 2009-10 school year, school kitchens must be purged of all frying equipment “It’s all about education on portion sizes and healthy food choices,” Wallace said. “Doing anything is better than nothing.”

Source: The Herald-Zeitung, 08/03/04
http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lasso?ewcd=6a4998293d5bfa97

British Action Plan on Food Promotion

The Food Standards Agency (FSA, the British equivalent of the FDA) is asking food manufacturers, retailers, and the food service sector to adjust their promotion strategies of food to children and to follow its advice on reducing the amounts of fat, sugar, and salt in foods, product ranges, and meals aimed specifically at children. Last month, Board members agreed on an action plan aimed at government, industry, schools, and others to encourage practices that promote healthy eating by children. The action plan includes promotion of healthier vending machines offerings in schools; food industry promotions to encourage children to eat healthier foods; and action to address the imbalance of television advertising of food to children. The Board acknowledged that this plan would require collaboration of government, families, and industry to improve the dietary health of children.

Source:
American Meat Institute, 07/28/04
http://www.meatami.com/SubscriptionRedir.cfm?News=1&ID=2057
To view the full FSA action plan, go to
http://www.foodstandards.gov.uk/healthiereating/promotion

California Passes Resolution on Advertising

And in related news, the California legislature just last week passed SJR 29, a resolution that calls on the federal government to put reasonable limits on the marketing of foods and beverages to children and calls for the food, marketing, and media industries operating in California to voluntarily adhere to a code of practice for responsible food and beverage marketing to children. Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, the main proponent of the bill told Informed Eating: "We are pleased that the legislature has passed this important resolution. California has taken a leadership role in calling on Congress to limit advertising of junk food to children, and on the media and food industries to adopt voluntary standards. California is in a unique position to be a true leader on this issue. Together we can make a real difference in our children's health and future."

Hate the Food Guide Pyramid? Tell the USDA!

If you’ve always wanted to tell the USDA what you think of the Food Guide Pyramid (and really, who hasn’t?) now’s your chance. It’s been 12 years, so the agency is re-thinking the shape, among other aspects. Officially now called the “Food Guidance System”, in order to not stay too attached to the pyramid shape, the USDA is “seeking public comments on the configuration of the new graphic, strategies to improve educational messages, interactive tools to demonstrate the messages, and communication delivery channels for the messages.” Deadline for submissions is August 27. (Word is that the heaviest hitters wait until the last minute to submit comments so that others don’t have time to respond.) Final release of the new Food Guidance System is scheduled for early 2005, following the release of the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Written comments can be submitted to: Food Guide Pyramid Reassessment Team, USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1034, Alexandria, VA 22302. No electronic written comments will be considered.

IN MY OPINION by Michele Simon

This month’s industry round-up is more of the usual food industry positive spin on otherwise unhealthy foods. Why else would Tyson spend $75 million trying to convince you that their high-fat and fiberless “protein products” give you power, when what they really give you is heart disease and cancer? And while slapping a little green circle on cans of Diet Pepsi and bags of baked Doritos won’t turn those junk foods into health products, PepsiCo can look good trying.

But the Subway and the Nestle stories provide an added twist: when major health- promoting organizations sell their name to the highest bidder. The American Heart Association is notorious for providing various food products and restaurants with the AHA’s “heart-check” symbol for foods that are supposedly low in fat and cholesterol. In exchange, AHA makes hefty sums of cash. The Center for Science in the Public Interest estimates that in 2002, with over 630 products certified, the AHA received over $2 million from the program. (See CSPI’s report: http://www.cspinet.org/integrity/nonprofits/american_heart_association.html.)

People often ask me, who can we turn to for reliable nutrition information? Obviously, we can’t trust the likes of “Powered by Tyson.” And we often can’t trust our own federal government. But we should be able to trust the nation’s largest independent nonprofit organizations that are supposedly promoting the public’s health. Instead of teaming up with powerful food companies, organizations such as the AHA and the American Diabetes Association should be telling Americans the truth about how eating a diet based on whole, plant-foods is optimal for health and well-being. But you can’t slap a “heart-healthy” label on a stalk of broccoli or a grain of brown rice, and even if you could, not too many farmers could pony up the hefty fees.

Upcoming Events Events and Appearances

Tune in to KALW's radio program City Visions, on Monday, August 16, 2004 from 7:30 to 8:30pm (PDT) to hear Michele Simon as a guest. The topic will be “The Low Carb Diet Phenomenon.” The other two guests are a nutrition educator and a member of the Atkins Physicians Council. If you’re in the Bay Area, that’s 91.7 FM, or you can listen on the web at: www.kalw.org. And please be sure to call in with good questions!

Michele Simon will be covering the “Legal and Strategic Guide to Minimizing Liability for Obesity: What Food Industry Council Need to Know Now”, September 8-10, 2004, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago. For more information, visit: www.marcusevansbb.com/obesity-litigation.

Michele Simon will speak on state legislation at the “Second Annual Conference on Legal Approaches to the Obesity Epidemic,” September 17-19, 2004, at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston. For more information, visit: http://www.phaionline.org/Conference2004.html.

Michele Simon will speak on “Is Junk Food the Next Tobacco” at New York University Law School, Monday, September 20, 2004, 6:30pm, Snow Dining Room, Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South. This event is free and open to the public.

(Please note that because of the timing of these conferences, September’s Informed Eating will be later than usual. But the reward will be a fascinating report back!)

If you’re at least 55 years old and live near San Jose, California, you can sign up for a series of Michele Simon’s upcoming lectures this fall on the politics of food. Hosted by San Jose State University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, topics include the politics of nutrition advice and connecting the personal to the political. For details, see visit: http://iesweb.sjsu.edu/searchprofdev/searchCourse.java.jsp?command=1&courseId=19249

Michele Simon is available for lectures and workshops in your community and can speak on a variety of food policy topics. For more information, visit: http://www.informedeating.org/lectures.html.

CIFC is currently gathering stories at the state and local levels where the food industry is attempting to block nutrition advocacy efforts. Many states, cities, and counties around the country are trying to pass nutrition-related legislation (e.g., limiting junk food in schools or imposing soda taxes), but the food industry is lobbying hard to either stop or curtail these efforts. If you know about any specific fights, we want to hear about them. We are also interested in stories related to soda contracts in schools. Please contact Michele Simon at: Michele@informedeating.org or (510) 465-0322. Thank you!

The Center for Informed Food Choices in a nonprofit organization that advocates for a whole foods, plant-based diet and educates about the politics of food.

CIFC is proud to make Informed Eating available as a free public service. Unlike industry publications, it is not underwritten by corporate sponsors. We would greatly appreciate your support for this newsletter and our other important policy work. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.informedeating.org or call (510) 465-0322.

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2004 Informed Eating  -  All Rights Reserved