The Food Movement Minute is a news roundup for busy folks who care about people and planet health.
Coca-Cola
The Story
Coca-Cola, the world’s largest producer of sugary beverages, is funding a new “science-based” solution to the obesity crisis: To maintain a healthy weight, get more exercise and worry less about cutting calories (especially those from Coke).
The Details
Calories, shmalories. The beverage giant has teamed up with scientists who are advancing this message in medical journals, at conferences and through social media. To help the scientists get the word out, Coke has provided money and logistical support to a new nonprofit organization called the Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN), which promotes the argument that weight-conscious Americans are overly fixated on how much they eat and drink while not paying enough attention to exercise. This re-focusing campaign may have something to do with the fact that consumption of full-calorie sodas have fallen by 25% in the U.S. in the past twenty years.
Why it Matters
Too bad for Coke that the research community has clearly established a link between the consumption of empty calories contained in sugary drinks and the spread of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The agenda here is as crystal clear as a Coke Zero; get trusted scientists to downplay the importance of what we put in our bodies. To that I say, boo.
—
Artificial Ingredients
The Story
The slew of recent pledges by food companies to remove artificial colors and flavors likely won’t be enough to turn things around for cereal but could spark a new R&D trend.
The Details
An analyst for Euromonitor International, a strategic market research provider to the Food and Beverage Industry, said that while the reformulation pledges should be seen as a seismic change for the industry, they are missing the root cause of cereal sales declines. “Instead of eating a bowl of cereal, consumers are eating snack bars or yogurt while on the go. It’s one of the broader reasons cereals are going down.” Activist priorities of millennials and Gen X’ers are cited as another primary influence likely to maintain the current shifts over the long-term.
Why it Matters
Only the future will tell if consumers are truly tired of cereal or if the industry can re-imagine the category into one that represents the leading passion points for consumers today. Whatever the motivation for walking away from artificial ingredients, the benefit to people and planet health is clear. So for that, Food Industry, you get a gold star.
—
Factoid of the Day
Research shows that being in nature not only makes you happier, but can lead to a surge of energy, relieve depressive symptoms, make you more creative, improve mental focus and decrease stress. And, best part? It’s free! Now, go hug a tree (you know you kind of want to).