Naked Chef to U.S Politicians: Get a Spine and Stand Up to Food Companies!

Bravo! The always-outspoken Food Network superstar and chef Jamie Oliver—aka the Naked Chef—called on American politicians to “stop being so subservient” to “junk food companies” and fight unhealthy school lunches and snack foods, accorrding to Reuters. 

Oliver’s been on the war path against junk food for a while, and when he speaks, people stand up and take notice. Last year, he launched a campaign to boot junk food from British schools. First, as noted here previously, he talked out on his TV show and then he personally delivered a petition to U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair that was signed by 270,000-plus citizens, which called for better school meals.

Soon afterwards, British authorities announced several initiatives to serve better food to kids.  Now, in his characteristically blunt style, Oliver claims that “England’s the most unhealthy country in Europe and America is the most unhealthy country in the world," and he urges us to do something about it.

Unfortunately, Oliver won’t take up the battle directly himself in the U.S., figuring Americans might not take kindly to such in-your-face, no-holds-barred honesty from a Brit, according to the Reuters piece. 

But he does call on American celebrity chefs—like Rachael Ray—to become advocates for the cause of healthier eating. (Hear, hear!) Oliver also thinks government needs to take action, citing his approval for New York City’s proposal to boot trans fat from Big Apple restaurants.

Given our skyrocketing rates of obesity, diabetes, and other ailments amongst kids and adults directly related to our addiction to quickie carbs and sugar, we need a blaring, blunt wake-up call, Naked-Chef style. Calling on the government to get some backbone and take action against the irresponsible marketing practices of junk food purveyors is a great first step. But don’t abandon the cause now, Jamie! 

From Jennifer Moore