May 6, 2004 -- Several large food companies are defending their
May 6, 2004 -- Several large food companies are defending their roles in the nation's obesity epidemic saying that they are moving to provide healthier alternatives to a dangerously overweight U.S. population.
Representatives from some of the nation's biggest food purveyors say that their firms are responding to calls from policy makers to help America slim down, and that the moves even make good business sense.
But consumer groups remain highly skeptical, arguing that the companies are acting only to improve public relations and to avoid government action.
Businesses have been under increasing scrutiny for their role in providing high-calorie, high-fat food to an increasingly sedentary public. Federal agencies, including the FDA, have turned an eye to food labels and nutrition information, arguing that they do not do enough to alert consumers to the fat-causing effects of many foods.
Officials have been spurred by alarming reports about the size of America's obesity problem. As many as 61% of all U.S adults are classified as overweight or obese, according to federal figures. A CDC study released in March concluded that obesity is to blame for more than 400,000 deaths each year and that it would soon pass smoking as the nation's leading cause of preventable death.
Food Companies Stepping In
Food companies say now that the alarming trends have gotten their attention.
PepsiCo, which along with soft drinks sells many popular food brands, including Frito Lays potato chips and Quaker Oats, has begun a company-wide revamp designed to make some of its products healthier, says Brock Leach, the company's senior vice president for new platforms.
"There's a lot going on in our product portfolio. A lot of it is about reducing calories and reducing sugar," he told an audience at a nutrition conference sponsored by the Consumer Federation of America.
PepsiCo has moved to lower sugar content in some juices under its Tropicana brand and has lowered calories in some of its oatmeal bars. The company is also trying to eliminate trans fats from its products, though, "it's hard" with its large line of potato chips, Leach says.
The product changes are less a result of social conscience and more one of business opportunity, he says. Sales of foods the company classifies as "good for you" or "better for you" grew 10% last year, more than twice as quickly as "indulgence" foods of little or poor health value.
Fast-food giant McDonalds is also adding healthier choices to its menus and trying to encourage customers to exercise more, says Shelly Rosen, senior director of the company's "Eat Smart" program.
The company's phase-out of super-sized meals in 13,000 U.S. restaurants will be complete by December, she says. In addition, restaurants will soon begin allowing customers to choose fruit instead of high-fat French fries in combination meals. The company today is launching "adult" Happy Meals in Dallas that include a salad, a pedometer, and an exercise guide.
"What we're trying to do is create a social awakening on how important it is to have energy balance," Rosen says.
Advocates Are Skeptical
Industry critics remain skeptical of the moves. Consumer groups have long called for tougher regulation of nutrition labeling and curbs on food advertising directed at young children, moves they say are still lacking.
Michael Jacobs, executive director of the Centers for Science in the Public Interest, says that major food and restaurant companies continue to stonewall on changes key to addressing the obesity epidemic. Fast-food restaurants have mostly resisted calls to place easy-to-read calorie information on menu boards, and many food processors continue to spend billions marketing aggressively to young children who are still forming dietary habits, he argues.
"Much of what the food industry is doing is simply public relations," he says. "What the industry is trying to do is respond to all the public criticism. Their efforts will disappear as soon as the criticism disappears."
Carol Tucker Foreman, head of food policy at the Consumer Federation of America, praised the efforts of some companies, but said firms still encourage Americans to overeat.
"You barrage American consumers with constant advertising, especially children," she says.
Leach said that his company already does not direct advertising to pre-school-aged children and the company is reviewing its marketing practices.
Michael Mudd, Kraft's executive vice president for global corporate affairs, suggests that industry has yet to address the issue adequately. "I think the marketing practices question is less resolved. It's critical," he says.
