THE REAL MESSAGE

Reading related essay: “Dear American Consumers: Please don’t start eating healthfully. Sincerely, the Food Industry”

The food industry is an enormous sector generating huge profits all over the world. Like any other business, the profit motive is front and center. In order to make a profit, they need to get consumers to by the products. They do this by targeting basic human desires for salty, sweet and fatty food because they appeal to the same pleasure centers in the brain cocaine does. All the most popular foodstuffs in the supermarkets fall into one or all of these categories; what is more they are highly addictive as binge eaters will verify. Potato crisps, nibbles of all kinds, chocolates, readymade cakes, sauces, mayonnaise and ice cream are just as addictive as alcohol. The problem for the food industry is that people are becoming more health conscious and worried about their health. There is a lot of media attention on obesity and how to prevent it. There is also a lot being written about healthy eating. The New York mayor recently banned large sugary drinks in an effort to combat the problem. All this has the food industry worried as a shift in demand will mean that the greengrocers win hands down and the food industry will suffer huge losses. No business wishes to go bankrupt. 
Provided by: The Oracle