Big Business


Legislation, Lawsuits, and the lucrative diet industry. (140 posts)



Americans Are Eating More: But Which Foods?

The NY Times has published an interesting graphic showing how food consumption has increased.


In 1970 the average American ate 16.4 pounds of food per week. By 2006 this had increased an additional 1.8 pounds per week.

What changed?

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28 comments · August 6, 2008

Steamplicity: A Healthy Vending Machine?

Nowadays we have vending machines for everything; hot chips, pizza - even South Beach diet food.

Steamed food is a new one on me. From Selecta:

The model works on the basis of offering high quality ingredients that are cooked using a steam pressure cooking system. [...] it maximises the taste and nutritional value of the food.
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16 comments · July 1, 2008

How to Buy Healthier Food: Shop Online

Supermarkets can be very manipulative: the candies at the checkout counter (at the perfect height for a 4 year old); the more expensive items are at eye level - budget options often sit nearer the ground; the colors, the smells, the ambience.

It's all there to make you buy more. On-line grocery shopping is a good alternative - and the University of Connecticut has given us another good reason:

We tend to choose healthier foods on-line compared with a "real" store.

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14 comments · June 26, 2008

How Much Sugar Do You Consume?

We like it sweet. Too sweet - and I can't help wondering how our obsession with sweetness is tied to our expanding waists.

Food mega-giant Kraft recently scored a hit in China with Oreos cookies - but not the kind that Americans eat. According to the Wall Street Journal: "Kraft learned that traditional Oreos were too sweet for Chinese tastes".

So they reformulated the flavor - and Oreos are now the No 1 cookie in China.


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31 comments · May 9, 2008

The Skinny on "Light" Juices

This is a guest post from Kerry McLeod of eBrandAid.

It seems that juice manufacturers are capitalizing on our culture's obsession with weight by putting their juices on a "diet!" Just walk down any juice aisle and find many of your favorite juices in low-calorie, sugar-free varieties.

We're all looking to cut calories - but are these emaciated juices sacrificing nutrition for fewer calories?

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29 comments · May 7, 2008

The Glamor Side of Thin Always Wins

There are two reasons for our obsession with thinness: 'health' or 'desirability'. Many will do anything to get thin for 'glamor's' sake, but under the guise of health.

It seems that we humans take extreme measures - that can be exceedingly unhealthy - in order to fit into the body beautiful culture.

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29 comments · April 17, 2008

Sexy Gym Ads: Clever or Sleazy?

Using sex to sell products and services is nothing new. In fact when it comes to the fitness industry, it is pretty common. But there seems to be a very thin line between progressive marketing and overt sexuality - with Equinox Fitness Clubs pushing the boundaries. In January, the high-end fitness center with 41 clubs launched their "Happily Ever" campaign - a $3-5 million promotion that features some very provocative ads.

Check out the print ads below:

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29 comments · April 16, 2008

The "Big Brother" Shopping Cart

I can remember my first experience with technology and shopping carts while trying to go beyond the parking boundaries of the local Safeway grocery store. I was shocked and amazed when my cart just stopped suddenly.... not that I was trying to steal it or anything... really, I wasn't. Anyway, this new brainchild of Microsoft does much more than that! The "MediaCart" boasts the following features:

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11 comments · April 7, 2008

Who Really Owns the Organic Food Brands

Are Video Games the New Frontiers of Weight Loss?

Kirstie Alley Leaves Jenny Craig, Starts New Weight Loss Program?

Lickable Ads

Slim Coffee: Another Weight Loss Scam

Don't Buy Another Ab Machine: Read This First

Starbucks: Stop Calling Me Skinny

Exercise TV: Brought to You by Liquid Candy?

Starbucks Lite, Anyone?

Too Fat to Emigrate

The Weight Loss Cure: Sued by the FTC

Should We Ban Fast Food Restaurants?

How to Lose Weight By Quitting Your Job

11 Step Guide for Healthier Nations

100 Calorie Packs: Double the Price

Getting Paid to Lose Weight

Should Weight Loss Cost Money?

Obesity: Personal Responsibility or Blame Food Companies?

When is Organic Not Organic?

Old Navy: Plus-size Clothing Taken Off Shelves

Juice Maker Caught Red-Handed

Foods To Prevent Obesity?

Splenda Buys Hundreds of Anti-Splenda Domains

Diet Coke Plus: "Healthy" Soft Drink?

Insurance Company Rewards Thinner Customers

Coke Blames Video Games For Obesity?

The 10 Top Selling Brands in the UK

The Office Food Police

McDonald's: The Secret of Their Success

Enviga: An Expensive Diet Soda

Essensis: The Beauty Yogurt

Burger King Enjoys Fat Profits

Too Thin? Who Decides?

Obesity Warning on Clothes Labels?

FDA Approves Cloned Food


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