good news on the food information front

On the up side... story today out about food politics classes in university. from IDSnews.com

Professor: Food plays a role in politics Class examines wording on labels, federal policies

“A lot of the wording that comes from the federal regulations about eating is a result of being worked over by many different groups who have a vested economic interest it what we eat,” Barbour said. “It is not for our good health, it’s for the good of these different groups.”

It would be great if this kind of course could be offered at every state run university AND if it could count for health and phys-ed credits for undergrad students, and could be made a required 101 course for folks in a Political Science degree course.

But I am thrilled to see this kind of effort out there. Esp. in a state like Indiana that is usually so much a part of the Corp. ag business information cycle. Nice to see the other side of the conversation being promoted.

Would love to know if there are lists of other universities offering these kinds of classes?

information is king

part of what gets us all in trouble is not making clear congnitive decsions. But part of what makes some decsions hard to make is lack of information AND specific dis-information campaigns. I was sad to see today that NY struck down a law mandating the fast food restaurants list calorie counts on their menus. Many people argue that we cannot legislate away obesity, but it would be nice to give people a chance to know the details before they order.

If they stopped all the mis-information that the junk food and processed food industry puts out every year maybe we wouldn't need calorie counts. But kids and adults alike are bombarded with sophisticated marketing messages that cloud the issue and actually encourage, entice and incite unhealthy eating. Information is king. and just like with grocery store labels, restaurants should have to tell people what is in their food and how it could impact health.

the people fighting this kind of law are big big corporations that don't want to tell you how much High Fructose Corn Syrup is in your pre-made, boxed, bottled sauces and ingredients that they use. Buy local, support smaller restaurants, and local farmers. It is healthier for you and your community.

write to your congress people and state legislature and ask for calorie counts and nutritional info on menus. what are they afraid of? Informed, empowered citizens- that's what.