Michelle Obama delivers urgent obesity message to US food industry
Michelle Obama is taking on the US food and drink industry and their role in the nation's obesity crisis, demanding that food job bosses start to sell healthier products.
The First Lady is focusing on childhood obesity in her new campaign, backed by President Obama who appointed her the position of head of an obesity task force. The interagency panel have produced a report detailing their 70-point plan for tackling the obesity problem in America, and the finger of blame has been pointed firmly in the direction of the food industry.
Although it does not mention regulatory or taxation reform for the food sector, the report has nonetheless been described as an unmistakable warning to food manufacturers and retailers. Director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Kelly Brownell, explains:
She also went on to say that Michelle Obama's report says in no uncertain terms, 'clean up your act or we'll take action".
As a result, many food manufacturers including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Foods Inc and Campbell soup have taken action to reduce sugar, salt and the calorie count in their products. More importantly, the First Lady has managed to convince the food industry to pledge to cut 1.5 trillion calories in their products by 2015.
The First Lady is focusing on childhood obesity in her new campaign, backed by President Obama who appointed her the position of head of an obesity task force. The interagency panel have produced a report detailing their 70-point plan for tackling the obesity problem in America, and the finger of blame has been pointed firmly in the direction of the food industry.
Although it does not mention regulatory or taxation reform for the food sector, the report has nonetheless been described as an unmistakable warning to food manufacturers and retailers. Director of Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Kelly Brownell, explains:
"It's sending a polite but clear warning shot across the bow of industry, especially with regard to marketing to children,"
She also went on to say that Michelle Obama's report says in no uncertain terms, 'clean up your act or we'll take action".
As a result, many food manufacturers including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Foods Inc and Campbell soup have taken action to reduce sugar, salt and the calorie count in their products. More importantly, the First Lady has managed to convince the food industry to pledge to cut 1.5 trillion calories in their products by 2015.
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