Selling candy to kids
Source: The New York Times on November 18, 2011
This editorial critiques the Obama administration for giving in to industry lobbying with regards to the voluntary marketing and nutrition guidelines.Marketing has a profound affect on the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, yet most of that marketing is for products we should avoid. BMSG monitors the media to help keep advocates informed of the tactics food and beverage companies use to target children, communities of color, and other groups that are particularly susceptible to the health harms these products cause. Below are archives of our monitoring.
Quaker partners with the National Dairy Council and claims to ‘help nourish youth’
Source: PepsiCo.com on November 17, 2011
In an effort to continue positioning itself as a company committed to health, PepsiCo partners with the National Dairy Council to market its Quaker Oats to children in schools. The partnership's activities will be funded in part through the non-profit organization, GENYOUth Foundation, which raises funds to support child health and wellness.For cereal, natural may not be as natural as you think
Source: The Portland Press Herald on November 16, 2011
Non-profit research organization, the Cornucopia Institute, released a report titled "Cereal Crimes: How 'Natural' Claims Deceive Consumers and Undermine the Organic Label." The report finds that cereals claiming to be "natural" often use "dangerous pesticides, genetically engineered crops, fumigants" and other toxic chemicals.It’s official: Pizza is a vegetable!
Source: Food Politics on November 16, 2011
Congress caves in to industry pressure and declares that the tomato paste in pizza qualifies it as a vegetable. In her blog post, Nestle includes some of the national coverage on this topic.McDonald’s plans to introduce new desserts
Source: Los Angeles Times on November 15, 2011
Seeking to become a "dessert destination," the fast food giant will introduce new desserts such as strawberry cr̬me pie and S'More pie.McDonald’s connects with youth of color through college scholarship program
Source: PR Newswire on November 14, 2011
The Ronald McDonald House provides college scholarships to high school seniors of color (including African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans). The program is part of McDonald's long-standing efforts to improve its image and build brand loyalty in communities of color.Sugary-drink industry sweetens pot for Philadelphia City Council
Source: Philly.com on November 13, 2011
Since May, beverage industry leaders have contributed at least $49,000 to Philadelphia City Council candidates. Critics argue that this gives the industry political influence over soda tax bills.Study: 78 percent of Americans eat snack foods for lunch
Source: Convenience Store News on November 11, 2011
The study reveals that, when hungry, younger adults tend to skip full-course meals and replace them with snacks.McDonald’s launches Spanish language Twitter handle, @MeEncanta, to engage with Latino followers
Source: PR Newswire on November 10, 2011
McDonald's is one of the companies that most aggressively targets Latinos. The new MeEncanta Twitter handle is just one example of the company's efforts to take advantage of the fact that Latino consumers are among the biggest users of digital and social media. McDonald's will use this new medium to increase sales to Latino consumers: Followers will receive updates on menu items and promotions, as well as information on campaigns that are designed to improve the company's image within the Latino community.CNBC’s documentary ‘Pepsi’s Challenge’
Source: The Morton Report on November 10, 2011
The documentary seeks to position PepsiCo as a responsible company, with CEO Indra Nooyi declaring that she aims to take the company in a "new, healthier direction."