Kudos to Regina Wilshire for letting us know on her Weight of the Evidence Blog about a fascinating article, In Food Makers We Trust? which appeared in FoodAndDrinkEurope.com.
It’s intriguing to get an inside view of the advice that the food industry is getting.
Food and Drink Europe — which provides breaking news on food markeeting and retailing — warns food manufacturers:
"In among the hollers about obesity and the concerns over nutrition, food companies now need to work hard to ensure they clinch public trust, as a matter of insurance. This means more than compliance on traceability and labeling. This means being seen as a force for good."
Please note, in particular, the prediction:
"Consumers, battered by media reports about obesity, are about to get label-savvy. Companies that take the high road, with fair labeling, will do better than those who create a wake of suspicion by deliberately writing around products’ vices."
Indeed, we consumers are increasing becoming hip to label reading. (In fact, in my upcoming book, SUGAR SHOCK!, I devote an eye-opening chapter to dishing out the details on common label misconceptions and other little-known info about labels and ingredients.)
In fact, every time we fork over money, we are voting. Regina put it well when she wrote: "As consumers our greatest power is in our pocketbook."
But, let’s face it: Why are we seeing all these sugary snacks and drinks out there? Because people are buying them.
This is why it’s so important to educate our kids, friends and colleagues about the health, mood and relationship benefits of eating top notch foods. If we start purchasing more organic vegetables and less processed crap, then food manufacturers will begin to offer us better products.