The Food Movement Minute is a news roundup for busy people who care about #PeoplePlanetHealth.
‘DARK’ Act
The Story
The Safe and Accurate Food Act (HR 1599), referred to by opponents as the Deny Americans the Right to Know (DARK) Act passed in the House yesterday. The bill bans states from adopting individual GMO labeling laws and overrides any that are currently in place.
The Details
“It is an attack on transparency,” said Representative John Conyers Jr., a Democrat, in the floor debate that took place yesterday prior to the vote. Opponents take issue with the bill as it would not only negate all existing GMO labeling laws, but block states from dictating where GMO crops can be grown and allow some GMO ingredients to be defined as ‘natural’. However, The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), the leading group representing the food industry, marks the vote as a victory as they claim the bill will avoid the complication and costs associated with a patchwork of state labeling laws. Either way, HR 1599 does not have the final say on the issue. The bill will only become law if a companion bill, still yet to be written, passes in the Senate.
Why it Matters
Don’t let the GMO-Corn-Fed-Fat-Lady sing just yet. Although this bill seemed to sail smoothly and stealthily through the House, we can expect the GMO debate to heat up again in the coming months as the Senate drafts its companion bill. Given that the majority of consumers surveyed report wanting to know what’s in their food, it’s safe to say the Senate process will not be so easy.
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Added Sugar
The Story
It’s time to give up the sugary soda pop. After many years of political action at the state level and speculation from food industry insiders, the FDA announced this morning that it is proposing a Daily Value of 10% (or 200 calories in a 2000 calorie diet) for added sugars in foods. Currently, added sugar is not labeled separately from total sugar on nutrition labels.
The Details
The proposal reflects recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), who recently summarized scientific data related to added sugars in their 2015 report. The summary from the committee showed that it is difficult to meet daily nutrient needs and stay within the recommended 2000 calorie a day limit when exceeding 10 percent of total calories from added sugar. This recommendation echoes other leading groups as well. The UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition recommends added sugar not exceed 5% of total calories per day and the World Health Organization states 10% of calories from added sugars should be the absolute maximum.
Why it Matters
Americans, on average, consume way more than 200 calories worth of added sugar each day, meaning this limit could provide a major wake-up call for soda drinking, processed foods eating people everywhere. The leading diseases in the U.S., obesity, heart disease and diabetes, are directly linked to poor diet and lifestyle choices, so providing this additional level of detail on nutrition labels has the potential to have a big impact on enabling people to make better choices and fit into their skinny jeans.
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Campbell’s Soup
The Story
All the cool kids are doing it. Campbell Soup Company joins a growing list who are taking a vow to clean up their foods, announcing Wednesday that they intend to remove artificial colors and flavors from their portfolio.
The Details
Campbell’s announcement follows similar statements from Kraft, Nestle, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Panera and General Mills that have cut back on artificial ingredients in an effort to appeal to health-conscious consumers. The announcement is a response to what the company refers to as a “seismic shift” in American diets. The clean-up should be complete by 2018 and will additionally include the elimination of high-fructose corn syrup from some of its products as well as an expansion of its organic food selection. “From boomers to millennials, consumers are seeking fresher, less-processed foods,” Chief Executive Denise Morrison said at a meeting with investors.
Why it Matters
Although the announcement may be driven by financial bets versus a philosophical shift about what constitutes quality food, change for the better is still change for the better. Now we can have our chicken soup for the soul without the added MSG.
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(Factoid of the Day)
Fatwater, water mixed with a propriety blend of coconut oil and vitamin E, is the latest product launch by the founder of Bulletproof Coffee and is coming to a store near you with claims that it hydrates better than regular water.
Image by Ian Sanderson