A reporter called me today to ask my opinion about the latest attempt by the food industry to regulate themselves when it comes to marketing to kids. This issue is almost as old as I am, and as usual, the food industry continues to run the show. I told the reporter a story.
Once upon a time, there was a henhouse filled with hens, eggs and little chicks. They needed to be protected from predators like foxes, raccoons, and weasels. So the farmer in charge let the weasels watch out for the chickens. And soon, the chickens were gone.
Obviously, self regulation by the food industry is down right insane. So is expecting Congress to pass meaningful legislation to limit marketing to kids. There’s too many weasels, I mean food industry lobbyists, floating around DC with pockets full of cash that will convince our representatives to vote against our children’s health.
I watched How to Get Fat Without Really Trying with Peter Jennings back in 2003 when it was first aired on TV. Nothing has changed since 2003. Nothing!
If I had a magic wand I’d grab this Paul Kurnit dude who was an expert at marketing to kids and freeze all of his assets until he goes to work and creates marketing to get kids to eat vegetables. How do he and others live with themselves?
