Junk Food:
India is striving to understand the health impacts of junk food on children. A working group was set up to do some research and make recommendations for regulating junk food availability and labeling. Here are some quotes:
“There is nothing called junk food. The problem with obesity lies
with children who do not exercise enough. What is needed is for them to
run and jump, and to do this they need to consume high-calorie food. So,
food high in salt, sugar and fat is good for them.” This is what was
argued vehemently and rudely by representatives of the food industry in
the committee, set up under directions from the Delhi High Court to
frame guidelines for junk food in the country.
On the face of it there was no one from the junk food industry in the
committee. In the early meetings, we only knew that there were members
of two associations who were representing the food industry in the
committee. But as discussions got under way, it became clear that the
big junk food industry was present in the meeting. We learnt that the
member representing the National Restaurant Association of India was a
top official from Coca-Cola—the world’s most powerful beverage company
that is at the centre of the junk food debate globally. The other
grouping, All India Food Processors Association, was represented by
Swiss food giant Nestle, which has commercial interest in instant
noodles and other junk food.....
The question before the working group was not whether action was
needed, but how to address these concerns. The first step was to build
the criteria to define and identify junk food—how much of sugar or fat
or salt in food is unhealthy. Based on this, a list was prepared of the
most common junk food that would need to be regulated. It included chips
and other fried packaged food; carbonated beverages; instant noodles;
and confectionery.
The working group was unanimous in its position: children are not the
best judge of their food and are aggressively targeted by ads and
seduced by celebrities. Moreover, schools are the right place to learn
right values about nutrition.
The working groups ended up with two position statements. The one endorsed by the industry representatives said, in part,
Their position was that instead of
banning such food [in schools], children should be asked to “eat responsibly”.
How the Junk Food Industry Preys on the Young in Emerging Markets | naked capitalism
Asking a child to "eat responsibly" is like asking a zebra to lose its stripes--not gunna happen. As the years roll on, and I am speaking mostly for Americans not India, we continue to point the finger for the various problems facing our country. Obesity is not the fault of the "junk food" industry. Though I shan't argue that a diet consisting largely of these foods contributes greatly to obesity, it is the job of parents to monitor unhealthy food intake. They should also get their kids off their Dreamcasts and outside once in a while, at least that's the advice of this childless 22 year old.
ReplyDeletei think the idea is to teach children the importance of eating healthy and sometimes moderately unhealthy (because splurging every once in a while can't kill) AND push the idea of exercising. if the global community shifts its attitude to more healthy life styles, i wonder what its implications are on beverage companies like coca-cola. should they get with the times and simply change their recipe... and if they do that, would that hinder the brand image? there's a lot to ask and contemplate as consumer behavior and attitudes in the coming years change.
ReplyDeleteI totally get what you're saying. I wonder what these changes will do to the market for junk foods. i highly doubt consumption of them will change but it is possible that other markets as a result will be affect such as beverages. Will this make companies want to change their preference from fast food to something more reflective of the target audience?
DeleteIt would be beneficial to encourage movement/an active lifestyle. Also, these companies that are OK with serving us "junk" aren't really concerned with us, they are concerned with their profits. Teaching people to use their own judgment is best. The constant marketing patterns are not beneficial to this. Even the ideas of breakfast, lunch, and dinner are so engrained into our ways of life that it takes power away from the individual, who really should just eat when he/she feels the urge. It's interesting to think about how these companies will have to change their image, and possibly even recipe.
ReplyDeleteI think the hard part of educating young children about junk food is that some parents do not model healthy eating habits for their children. Children learn by observing and being reinforced for doing the "right" things. Regarding major food and beverage companies, I think there should be some regulation on the messages catered to what kind of audience. For example, is there a way that discourage them from making commercials catered to children/youth? Boycott, regulation, higher cost to broadcast commercials geared toward children etc.
ReplyDeleteLets face it, we live in a globalized world where big multinational corporation are becoming bigger and bigger every day. Its going to be very hard to stop them from producing what are called junk food. The reason is obvious, as they are cheap and popular. If we don't want to face any kind of health issue, then the parents should be responsible. I bet no one from a poor family would go waste their money eating junk food. Such luxury food are only available to people who can afford it and there is a big population who cannot afford it. Most of the children who have regular access to sch food are from educated family background, who have guardians who can figure out what is good and bad for health. It seems like for every problem we have, we try to blame it on the other one and point out their mistake. While the fact is, in many sensitive issues we are equally responsible for the existing problem.
ReplyDeleteThe 'junk food industry' is one of the most successful industry in the world. i doubt that this industry will eventually fade away because of the huge consumer base that it has. parents and schools should encourage an active lifestyle; less time sitting in front of computers/video games and more time actively interacting with others outside. there is need for moderation when people consumer junk food. i think there is need for consumers to take responsibility for the food choices and lifestyle that they choose instead of blaming the junk food industry.
ReplyDelete