Processed Food Manager: ‘Our Biggest Fear is the Health Activists’
What keeps processed food producers up at night? Dreaded health activists like you and me, with our pesky knack for exposing the GMO-containing processed junk that mega corporations have pushed on the public. It may come as no surprise to you, but in an open interview of sorts on the massive community website Reddit, one anonymous processed food manufacturing manager explained how the biggest fear of the industry is health activists.
In a response to a question posed by a user regarding new regulations on processed foods, the anonymous manager explained how an increasing effort by consumers to know what’s in their food is the #1 fear of the industry.
While the question has to do with calorie contents on the packaging, which is drastically less significant than labeling items like GMO labeling (or imagine labeling products that contain HFCS), it touches on the subject at large. If the mere act of labeling calories and some other minor factors troubles the processed food industry, imagine what GMO labeling means for their CEOs.
You can see for yourself the question and response below.
The user asks:
“What’s the inside buzz about posting calorie contents on the outside of packages? From what I understand, the industry decided to do this to avoid regulation–have consumers responded positively? Are companies afraid of a coming health conscious effort?”
To which the processed food factory manager responds:
“Yes, our biggest fear is the health activists, but then we also need to change our paradigms and adapt. We now have one line dedicated to protein bars and two others dedicated to fruit and nut based bars.”
Health Activism Shaping the Food Industry
In other words, individuals who are reading ingredients and spreading the word about problematic substances typically found inside many junk food products are shaping the very marketplace when it comes to food distribution. Voting with your dollar has always been highly effective, and corporations are forced to respond or simply lose revenue streams. It is for this reason we have seen companies over the past few years begin dropping high-fructose corn syrup and advertising the change on their labels.
We’ve been hitting the processed food industry hard for years, exposing everything from the ignored presence of mercury in much of the high-fructose corn syrup supply (which is also almost entirely if not completely genetically modified) to the affects on mental health.
It’s been this constant push for quality food met with serious activism and sharing by readers of alternative news that has made the difference. This push needs to continue of course, but it’s also now important to be sure that we don’t settle for counterfeit ‘health’ products on the shelves of our local grocery and health food stores.
Always remember to read the ingredients list and look for the organic content % on the items that you do buy. It is also especially important to watch out for ‘natural’ labels that may mislead you. Natural does not mean organic. In fact, it means virtually nothing. ‘Natural’ products can even still contain GMOs.
Our actions are shaping what millions of individuals put into their mouths on a daily basis, and stopping the onset of an unknown number of diseases and conditions throughout the lifetime of these individuals. The admittance from a processed food manufacturer head that we are a real thorn in their side that invokes a real feeling of effective change. After all, the last thing we want is to be on the side of mega corporations that have zero regard for public health and safety.
No company can live without customers. A company can survive health activists. But not when its very customers become health activists.
Health "activists"? Are you trying to sell a new catch phrase! Whats it to anybody what i put in my mouth. Suppose next will be the "food enterprise terrorism act" to stop all these "health activists"? Please!
I am not trying to stop you from eating what ever you want. This is to know what manufacturers are putting in my food. I would prefer to eat foods that are not sweetened with an inediable corn goo and modified by a scientist. If you want to eat organic (naturally) grown foods without agent organge sprayed on them and modified by scientist it take sherlock holmes to figure this out. I think all we are asking for is labeling on the foods that are chemically treated and modified.
I care because we all pay for the serious health consequences resulting from a steady diet of over-processed, high-allergen GMO-containing products that bear no resemblance to the food that humans evolved for thousands of years to thrive on. Obesity, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, skin conditions, depression… all of these are related to predominantly junk-food diets and they overburden our healthcare system. And ultimately the taxpayers foot the bill, especially for the people who end up in the ER rather than pursue non-emergent medical care. American health ranks dismally when compared to nearly every other nation in the world, and the proliferation of synthetic and adulterated foods are to blame. A high degree of effort is required to avoid those foods and choose nutritious whole foods, because of misleading ads and missing information. That is why I care.
billieg EXACTLY right. This is a national issue because healthcare is a national issue. Whether people want to believe it or not, I pay, YOU pay, every time someone goes to the hospital for obesity. Special needs costs us 50% of our national education budget. 50%!
When I see someone drink an organic smoothie or buy NON Gmo Verified I feel a kinship and appreciation for them because I really have it that they are doing their part to be a responsible American citizen. It takes something to be healthy and it gives something back to our nation.
Yes! "Health Activists"! Is there a higher calling than to actively work to stop those who profit from not only what you put in your mouth, but the negative effects those products have on your health? Beyond this are the effects of glyphosate (RoundUp) which chelates to essential minerals keeping our foods from absorbing nutrients that are necessary for our health. In GMO creations that incorporate Bt, a toxin that kills bugs by poking holes in their digestive system and does the same thing to people, causing an epidemic of severe food allergies in children. Individuals who actively engage in the conversation are a courageous blessing. A side effect of health activism is the saving of our family farmers, our water and our environment. So, go ahead and eat "fast" food. Are you obese, diabetic? Do you have a relative who has dementia, heart disease, celiac, or asthma? Anyone you know die of cancer? Look at their diet.
You must be one of those producers, but who will laugh at the end
I don't consider myself a health activist, but I do advocate for non-processed food. 5 years ago, at 45, I was on medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. The medicines I was taking actually made me sicker because of various side effects. I started simple, I cut back on anything that came in a can or a box. It took me about 12 months to reverse both ailments and I have been medication free since.
Thats awesome. We are GF ang GMO free and what very little processed food and in 3 weeks of staying with us my mom went off her high blood pressure meds, lost 10 pounds and her diabetes levels dropped to normal.
Seriously "Horticulture Guy". Attack the processed food industry, not this brave author. The shame is on you.
We need someone to develop a reader, size of a cell phone that can scan the ingredients on a package. Then they pop on your screen so you can actually read it. You can click on any ingredient and it tells you what it is and any studies that connect it to health problems, ie. cancer. Also what the ingredient is actually made out of for people who have allergies or need to stay away from certain things because of medication interactions. It would also be nice to have it read and on a screen for people who can't read such small printing.
I know cell phones can scan a product but that is it you find out, you have no idea what these items are that
you can't even pronounce. They could easily be updated as new studies and processs are developed. We need more information. If they can create drones, someone should be able to develop this.
Fooducate app comes close to that.
A candy maker on Reddit said they put calorie counts on packaging and come up with more protein and fruit and nut bars in response to health consciousness in the market. That had absolutely nothing to do with chemicals, GMOs, food labeling, or activism. The article is overblown and pathetic.
Glad for the encouragement that the grassroots efforts we've been part of for the past 12 years are making a difference.