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.
Source: Latina Lista on November 08, 2013
A news site that focuses on issues impacting the Latino community emphasizes the implications of a recent Rudd Center report for communities of color -- specifically, the marked increase in fast food advertising to Latino preschoolers.Source: Advertising Age on November 08, 2013
According to AdAge, ad spending targeted at Latinos increased 11% to $7.9 billion in 2012, a faster rate of growth than the general market. Magazine publishers are looking to capitalize on this and have recently launched a number of new Engligh-language products aimed at Latinos.Source: QSR Magazine on November 08, 2013
Cinnabon hopes to appeal to harried and stressed holiday shoppers and travelers with a new promotion featuring take-out cups full of the chain's signature processed, sugary, high-fat donuts.Source: PR Newswire on November 07, 2013
The infant formula company has launched "StrongMoms Espa̱ol," a program that will send weekly emails to Latina moms, including product samples and coupons, from pregnancy through their baby's first year. The company and the NAHN are billing the program as a public service, given their claim that there are "few comprehensive Spanish-language resources" about infant feeding. However, what is left out of the press release is the possible health effects of targeting Latina moms with infant formula marketing and samples, at the expense of breastfeeding.Source: The Cornell Daily Sun on November 06, 2013
Marion Nestle spoke to Cornell students last week about how the food and beverage industry has obstructed efforts to decrease obesity rates using arguments that shift responsibility to consumers. She concludes, "Obesity is transforming personal responsibility into corporate responsibility."Source: Latina Lista on November 06, 2013
The Yale Rudd Center recently released Fast Food FACTS 2013, a study that maps the progress of food marketing to kids. The report found that among Latinos, kids are a particularly attractive target because of their increasing population size, spending power and media exposure. The article notes that digital marketers in particular are savvy about using music, Latino spokespeople and other means to link cultural values and beliefs with certain food brands and products.Source: ZME science on November 05, 2013
A new report from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity was released last week at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Boston. The study explores how food and beverage marketers spend the vast budget at their disposal ($4.6 billion in 2012) to market their products to young people.Source: Food DIVE on November 04, 2013
In an effort to improve its public image after the ignorant, offensive comments made by the brand's president in September (including remarks that the company would never feature a same-sex couple in its ads), Barilla Pasta appointed its first 'Chief Diversity Officer.' The company also plans to launch a global video contest encouraging consumers to create videos featuring the 'multifaceted nature of pasta' while showcasing diversity and equality.Source: Grist on November 04, 2013
In this tongue-in-cheek column, environmental advice columnist Umbra Fisk reveals that the food industry uses "natural flavor" as "a catchall term for any number of (naturally derived) chemicals concocted to enhance the taste of your snack" and reminds readers of the lack of regulation governing how the term is used.Source: Food DIVE on November 04, 2013
The product, a new flavor in Lay's Wavy potato chips, is the company's effort to jump on the industry trend of 'innovative' salty/sweet combinations. Currently, it is only sold at Target stores and is more expensive than its other products at $3.49 for a five-ounce bag.
