1/x
"Many companies are racing to redesign sugar not out of an interest in the health of consumers but in pursuit of a healthier business."
See here for my comment in @NewYorker on a recent article by @nicolatwilley
A brief thread...
newyorker.com/magazine/2020/…
"Many companies are racing to redesign sugar not out of an interest in the health of consumers but in pursuit of a healthier business."
See here for my comment in @NewYorker on a recent article by @nicolatwilley
A brief thread...
newyorker.com/magazine/2020/…
2/x
First, this wonderfully-written article dives into the history of sugar, additives, alternatives, reformulation, taste preferences, and perceptions.
For more from @nicolatwilley, I highly recommend @Gastropodcast, which is co-hosted by @cagraber
newyorker.com/magazine/2020/…
First, this wonderfully-written article dives into the history of sugar, additives, alternatives, reformulation, taste preferences, and perceptions.
For more from @nicolatwilley, I highly recommend @Gastropodcast, which is co-hosted by @cagraber
newyorker.com/magazine/2020/…
3/x
The article reveals a clear incentive by the sugar, food, and beverage industries to find a tasty alternative with fewer negative health impacts. But is health really driving this "race to redesign sugar?"
In my comment I provide 3 reasons why this is not likely the case:
The article reveals a clear incentive by the sugar, food, and beverage industries to find a tasty alternative with fewer negative health impacts. But is health really driving this "race to redesign sugar?"
In my comment I provide 3 reasons why this is not likely the case:
4/x
1. Protecting profits: through massive economies of scale and political influence, these companies have/continue to lobby against #publichealth policies that threaten their bottom line.
For an overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23410611/
1. Protecting profits: through massive economies of scale and political influence, these companies have/continue to lobby against #publichealth policies that threaten their bottom line.
For an overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23410611/
5/x
2. Promoting inequities: children are bombarded w ads for unhealthy foods/bevs. Large corporations disproportionately target historically oppressed communities.
Int'l overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30977265/
Disparities:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25086271/
Targeting:
uconnruddcenter.org/targeted-marke…
2. Promoting inequities: children are bombarded w ads for unhealthy foods/bevs. Large corporations disproportionately target historically oppressed communities.
Int'l overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30977265/
Disparities:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25086271/
Targeting:
uconnruddcenter.org/targeted-marke…
6/x
3. Co-opting science: these corporations fund research(ers) who often publish skewed, business-friendly data and conclusions. This is an attack on scientific credibility.
Substantive example:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32744984/
Historical overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26595855/
3. Co-opting science: these corporations fund research(ers) who often publish skewed, business-friendly data and conclusions. This is an attack on scientific credibility.
Substantive example:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32744984/
Historical overview:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26595855/
7/x
These are just a few examples of how the industries racing to reformulate sugar have a long & troubled history of acting against the interests of the public's health.
For more on the commercial determinants of health:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32032560/
#CDoH
These are just a few examples of how the industries racing to reformulate sugar have a long & troubled history of acting against the interests of the public's health.
For more on the commercial determinants of health:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32032560/
#CDoH
8/8
In conclusion, there may very well be benefits to reformulating sugar, but we cannot expect the industry stakeholders leading this charge to simultaneously prioritize the public's health.
In conclusion, there may very well be benefits to reformulating sugar, but we cannot expect the industry stakeholders leading this charge to simultaneously prioritize the public's health.
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