“Let’s Move” was the distinct buzz phrase at the opening session of this week’s Grocery Manufacturers Association‘s (GMA) “Science Forum” here in Washington, DC. Not only was it top of mind following the First Lady’s keynote address on her recently launched nationwide campaign of the same name, but food and beverage manufacturers – including attendees and panelists from member organizations such as The Coca-Cola Company, Kraft Foods, General Mills, Inc. — used this catch phrase to describe their increasing efforts and commitment to transforming the food industry. The conference theme focused on public health and food safety issues, and it was clear from the tone in the room that the food industry must move, collectively, in a new direction.
Leading the charge was Mrs. Obama, who had poignant words and a behemoth mission for the industry. She charged manufacturers with a complete overhaul of the food industry “so kids born today can reach adulthood at a healthy weight.” Emphasizing the statistic that Americans now eat 31 percent more calories per day than 40 years ago, she insisted that every organization in attendance must have a role in reformulating current products and manufacturing new foods to be richer in essential nutrients our bodies require. She was quick to add that this is not simply substituting fats for sugars or adding a gram of fiber to something that has a 50 percent daily value (DV) of saturated fat, for example. Instead, Mrs. Obama called for a transformation of how foods are made and marketed in America. She highlighted the major role manufacturers play in shaping America’s food choices every day through their billion dollar marketing initiatives seen on televisions, billboards and computer screens. In addition to healthier foods, she asked that these products be marketed in lieu of their high-sugar and nutrient poor counterparts – especially to children- stating that “If there is anyone here that can sell foods to our kids, it’s you.” Mrs. Obama illustrated the power of food marketing with an anecdote from a conversation that morning with her daughter, Sasha, who could recite the Honey Nut Cheerios commercial, verbatim.
With an unprecedented 17 warning letters issued to food manufacturers by the FDA earlier this month for questionable claims on food labels and packaging, Mrs. Obama discussed her commitment to working with the FDA and industry to develop a standardized food labeling system that provides all Americans with important information about what is in the food we eat. She declared that most of us choose items because of cost and convenience, remarking that when she was a working mom without all the perks of living in the White House, she looked for one thing when shopping – the prefix “pre,” indicating that she would be able to spend less time actually preparing the food. Reiterating the need for standardized nutrition labels on our foods, she also stated that no parent “should need a magnifying glass and calculator” to find healthier choices in the supermarket.
To a standing ovation, Mrs. Obama assured manufacturers that she understood these changes would not happen overnight, yet insisted that the same food and beverage companies that turned Americans onto nutrient poor, unhealthy foods have the power to turn a new generation onto high-quality, healthier options as well.
Christina Plourde, Practice Manager, Food Policy and Nutriton
