Beware of McDonald’s and Coca Cola’s Reactions to Sales Drop

NEWSFLASH!! McDonald’s has just announced that they are reducing the amount of antibiotics in their chicken nuggets. This says it all – an actual confession of the worst kind of additive present in their junk food.  People have been feeding these chicken nuggets to their children for years and eating them too.  DO NOT EAT THESE AWFUL PROCESSED FOODS AS THEY ARE HELPING TO FUEL THE RISE OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA THAT ARE THE GREATEST HEALTH THREAT IN THE 21^ST CENTURY ACCORDING TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.

Introduction

Many people were pleased to learn that both McDonald’s and Coca Cola’s sales dropped significantly in the recent year. These two purveyors of junk food have sold their fat and sugar-laden products throughout the World to generations of gullible people. There have been no boundaries to the low levels to which they have stooped in order to hook their customers. Thus, McDonald’s gave free toys to bribe children while Coca Cola used green lorries to deliver their evil brews and pretend to care about the environment. Coco Cola has also jumped on the “Zero” bandwagon label to fool people into thinking that their “Zero” drinks can help weight loss.  These two companies alone have significantly contributed to the obesity epidemic that is sweeping the World. For example in Brazil, as soon as the economy improved around 2008, McDonald’s and other junk food merchants opened numerous outlets in Rio de Janeiro so that the once ”beautiful people” now rival the USA and the UK in terms of their obesity rates and the size of their bulging waistlines.

Brainwashing and addiction

Yes, people have a free choice to choose what to eat, but when they are constantly exposed to advertising from giant hoardings, trains covered in logos, and enormous symbols at sporting events sponsored by McDonalds and Coca Cola then it is not surprising that they become brainwashed into buying junk foods. There is even evidence that high-fat/sugar food is addictive and that junk foods stimulate the brain’s reward system in the same way as drugs like cocaine.

Reduced sales

So what is happening now and are the reduced sales good news for the health of people throughout the World?  Recently, sales of Coca Cola products have fallen in the USA, Mexico and Europe resulting in a profit decline of 25%. This has probably been due to a combination of factors including increased taxes on sugary soda in Mexico, several widely publicized lawsuits in the USA over undisclosed chemicals present in Coca Cola, and increased health awareness of younger people.  With McDonald’s, the income shrunk last year by 15% and practically every month showed negative sales. The reasons for this reduction in sales are complex and involve young peoples’ disillusion with the food on sale, competition from other smaller companies, political and economic crises in Europe and Asia, concerns about food safety in China and, hopefully, an increasing awareness of the harm that the McDonalds high-fat foods can have on health.

Companies responses to reduced sales

1. Coca Cola’s response to reduced sales shows a hint of desperation as people turn away from its traditional products. Not content with drowning Nations in chemical-laden and nutritionally defunct drinks for decades, it has now turned its attention to the dairy industry by producing highly processed milk called “Fairlife”. According to Coca Cola, Fairlife contains no lactose and has 50% more protein, 30% more calcium but 50% less sugar than normal milk. The sugar and lactose are removed by a special filtration system which also concentrates the protein and calcium. There is also a chocolate version of Fairlife which is fat-free (?) and with reduced sugar. It sounds too good to be true and, unfortunately, probably is.

Advantages of Fairlife

i. Low fat

ii. Free of lactose Fairlife is therefore of interest to overweight and lactose-intolerant people but weight watchers beware as it contains artificial sweeteners which may stimulate the appetite.

Disadvantages of Fairlife

i.  One disadvantage is that it will probably cost twice as much as ordinary milk.

ii. The main disadvantage, however, is that Fairlife has only been given a score of 6 out of 10 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG, ewg.org. see: Toxic chemicals in Fairlife milk EWG) on the basis of nutrition, ingredients and processing concerns.  EWG is a USA non-profit organisation whose mission is “to use the power of public information to protect public health and the environment.” The highest concern of the EWG was over the ingredients which include 6 additives: bisphenol A from plastic liners, potassium phosphates, artificial flavour, natural flavour, sucralose, acesulphame potassium and carrageenan. Concerns were also expressed over the amount of processing that was used in the production of Fairlife since the more the processing the higher the use of artificial additives.

iii. The final disadvantage of Fairlife is the fact that it is produced by Coca Cola whose reputation has been undermined by lawsuits concerned with undisclosed chemicals used in its products such as phosphoric acid, artificial flavour and chemical preservative.

Conclusion on Fairlife

The relatively high price, content of artificial sweeteners and undisclosed flavourings should make most people chose natural skimmed cow’s milk. For the price of Fairlife, it is possible to buy organic cow’s milk that is free of all additives, including the antibiotics often used in cow husbandry in the USA.

2. McDonald’s response to falling sales so far, in contrast to Coca Cola, does not seem to have resulted in diversification into other relatively healthy food products like milk. Instead, the CEO of McDonald’s, Don Thompson, has resigned and a $100 milion cost-cutting exercise is underway at company headquarters. Many areas of McDonald’s operation will need the attention of the new CEO including:-

i. Simplifying the menu so that service is improved. At the moment, the menu is so complex that customers are confused and kitchen staff take too long to respond to orders. This has particularly affected drive-thru customers who have gone to other more efficient restaurants.

ii. Some of the McDonalds prices at the higher end of the menu have become too expensive and will need to come down.

iii. Updating marketing and technology to create a better image and facilitate ordering, payment and mobile offerings.

iv. Probably the biggest challenge is to change the image of McDonald’s and rebrand from cheap fatty food and burgers to fresh food to appeal to more  health aware customers.

This latter rebranding will take some time to implement as many people would never be seen dead in a McDonald’s restaurant except to use the WC. Certainly, the complexity of the menus makes it difficult to find healthy alternatives so that simplification and introduction of healthy alternatives would be welcomed.

In conclusion, falling sales are probably good news for McDonald’s customers if the company responds by introducing healthy options. In contrast, the response of Coca Cola to meddle with one of the most nutritious and relatively cheap foods available is worrying due to the extremely poor track record of this global giant.

It’s Your Life: End the confusion from inconsistent health advice

“OBESITY WATCH”

Brazil, India and China Beware! The Junk Food Tidal Wave Is Heading Your Way!

The blog below was originally written 2 years ago but refused publication by a well-known Rio newspaper as the whole front page had been bought for advertising junk food by a famous multinational company.

       

Introduction

The recession has badly affected the USA and Europe, undermining the growth in profits for the Global Food Companies. However, as a result of the ever increasing economic success of countries like Brasil, India and China, and the enhanced spending power of the people, these multinational companies are now targeting these new emerging markets to increase their growth and profits.

Uncontrolled advertising of junk food

The result of this globalisation of the food supply can be seen daily on the streets and in the supermarkets of Rio de Janeiro with the opening of McDonalds, KFC, Bob’s, Pizza Hut and numerous other burger and junk food joints and pasta bars. The supermarkets and bars too are offering more and more ready-made, fatty and salty snacks and meals as well as chemical soft drinks for sale. The greatest danger of all is that impressionable children are being exposed daily to these junk foods and chemical drinks so that they become a normal part of their diets. Much of this exposure comes from uncontrolled television advertising aimed at children who are particularly vulnerable to the persuasive techniques used (Consumer International). In addition, it is a common sight to see parents at suco bars encouraging their children in poor choices of food by giving them fatty and salty salagados and chemical soft drinks.

Government inaction and cynical sponsorship

The Brasilian government has been slow in introducing a watershed time to restrict television promotion of junk food aimed at children. Fabio Gomes, a nutritionist and expert on food marketing at the National Cancer Institute of Brasil, reports that while the multinational companies have pledged self-regulation for advertising to children in the USA and Europe, no such pledges have been made for Brasil. The recent 2013 Confederation Cup in Brasil is an example of uncontrolled and cynical advertising. McDonalds sponsored this event and then utilised the commercial TV breaks in the games to advertise their junk food products. Every match, and time after time in every break, showed people with their mouths wide open eating a shower of junk food nuggets of some kind.

Zero calorie foods and drinks

The recent upsurge in “zero” calorie foods and drinks is an example of multinational companies exploiting peoples ignorance and fears. In these products, sugar has been replaced by a potentially toxic mixture of artificial sweeteners particularly aimed at people concerned about their weight and diet. In consequence, “zero” products are bought in the belief that they are healthier as they contain fewer calories. Evidence, however, is mounting that these zero products may result in overeating by upsetting the normal mechanisms controlling the appetite so that weight gain can occur. In addition, there is controversy about the safety of these artificial chemical sweeteners. Aspartame, one of the most frequently used, has been linked to a range of diseases from tumours to behavioural problems (see: “Its Your Life: End The Confusion From Inconsistent Health Advice”, by Professor Dr. Norman Ratcliffe); it is particularly advisable for children and pregnant women to avoid this chemical.

Obesity statistics

So what is the problem with “Fast Food” as it is so cheap and convenient? Most fast foods contain excessive harmful fat and salt levels. Just look at the obesity rates in the USA and Europe and you will realise the concern. In the UK alone in 2008, there were 39 million 16-64 year olds of which approximately 50% were overweight (27%) or obese (23%). Over the last 15 years your reporter has watched a nation become bloated and over-eat itself into an early grave. The signs are that Brasil is going the same way.

A recent survey of over 188,000 Brasilians published by Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica on August 27th 2010, reports that:-

In 2008, 1 in 3 children between 5 and 9 years were overweight with 1 in 7 obese. This compares with 1974 in which levels of overweight children were less than 1 in 10. Similar increases in weight have occurred with adults so that by 2008-09 about 50% of the Brasilian population was overweight with obesity having increased 3-4 times since 1974.

What about the future? The same survey shows that being overweight is greater (61.8 %) in men with high incomes. Thus, weight gain and obesity levels will probably accelerate during the present economic boom. The speed with which obesity levels accelerate can be amazing with obesity in the USA increasing 4 fold in just 14 years.

More recent statistics confirm the rising tide of overweight and obese people in Brasil. This is also reflected in the fact that the new soccer stadiums being built for the World Cup will include about 2.4% extra-wide seats able to accommodate fans of up to 560lbs! The World Health Organisation has warned that if present trends continue then by 2022 Brasilian obesity rates could match those of the USA.

Health problems associated with being overweight/obesity

Why should you be bothered about weight gain? Being overweight/obese is associated with a significant increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy complications, disability and even cancer. The national costs and personal misery are huge. Soon, like the UK, Brasil will have a national “Big is Beautiful” campaign to justify the gluttony of a nation, with overweight women being described as “real women” and “curvy” instead of the truth which is “fat” or “obese”.

What must you do?? Educate people away from junk foods and sugary/zero calorie drinks and try and convince them to take responsibility for their own health. Read food labels and seek bans on advertisements aimed at children and young people glamorising junk food and drinks. Start a campaign now in Brasil led by the media before the tidal wave sweeps you and your family away in a mountain of fatty and salty food, chemicals and ill-health.

NB. If you enjoyed this blog then why not press the “follow” button, enter your email and confirm your interest to receive monthly updates when new articles are published . It costs nothing and only involves receiving 1-2 emails per month.

Sources:

POF 2008-09: Anthropometry and nutrional status of children, teenagers and adults in Brazil (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica on August 27th 2010).

Public release date: 13-Jul-2010, International Association for the Study of Obesity, Stockholm. rosswrite@mac.com

abcnews.go.com, ABC News blog, Medical Unit online, March 5th 2013

http://www.who.int/nut/db_bmi.htm

Find out about food and diet in: “It’s Your Life: End The Confusion From Inconsistent Health Advice”, by Professor Dr. Norman Ratcliffe.

 

Food contamination with horsemeat, mad cow disease, artificial chemicals and excessive fat, salt and sugar! What can you do?

In recent years, we have had food crisis after food crisis.

FOOD CRISES TAKE MANY FORMS BUT RESULT FROM TWO MAIN REASONS:

A. Accidental contamination with disease organisms and untested food sources

Examples of this type of crisis are the recent ‘horsemeat scandal’ in which horsemeat was found in ‘beef’ pies/lasagne/meatballs etc, mad cow disease (BSE) was present in hamburgers, and outbreaks of food poisoning from chicken and sprouting beans were contaminated with toxic bacteria. In addition, diseases affecting our food supply include foot and mouth disease in cattle and bird flu in chickens, both resulting in wholesale animal slaughter. These crises may be caused by bad practice in handling food or in feeding livestock, and usually result in immediate action at governmental levels to prevent contaminated animals entering the food chain. Only occasionally do these events cause wholesale human mortalities in the West.

B. Deliberate contamination with artificial chemicals, excessive fats, salt, and sugar

These crises are caused by food manufacturers adding preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, flavourings, fats, salt and sugar to make food more attractive to the consumer. The crises arising from these contaminants usually develop slowly and are insidious, creeping up on the population, sometimes taking years before a problem is recognised and linked to a food source, as with the obesity epidemic.

PREVENTION

Type A crises

With these, the consumer is often in the hands of the government to take action, as with mad cow disease (BSE). The public was unaware that cattle were being fed contaminated meat and bone meal from other diseased cattle. However, avoiding processed food (pies, faggots etc) which may contain unknown sources of meat, as with the horsemeat fiasco, may provide some protection. For example, with BSE, those eating hamburgers appeared to be particularly at risk.

However, cases of food poisoning from eating or handling chicken can be prevented by:

i. washing hands thoroughly before and after handling uncooked carcases
ii. cooking the chicken as per instructions on packaging and until the juices run clear from a knife inserted.
iii. storing the uncooked chicken in a container well away from other foods such as salads.
iv. washing all knives and surfaces in contact with the uncooked chicken thoroughly, after use, with bleach.

These precautions would help prevent many of the 300,000 reported cases of food poisoning each year, with about 70% of raw chicken contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria causing food poisoning.

Similar advice applies to uncooked fruit and vegetables, all of which should be washed, even if they are peeled, before eating. Avoid raw bean spouts, which are cultivated at elevated temperatures favouring bacterial growth, especially if pregnant.

Type B crises

With these, prevention is, in theory, in the hands of the consumer. These crises are much more insidious than Type A and creep up over many years. Thus, the extent of the obesity epidemic sweeping many countries, with nearly half the population overweight or obese, has only recently prompted some governments to take action. This is despite incessant warnings from doctors over many years. “Fat is beautiful” has become a dangerous slogan, attempting to normalise excessive and health-threatening weight. Many such people will not only face major health problems but also die at earlier ages than their parents or grandparents generations.

Prevention can only be successful if people are educated as to the harm caused by excess fats, salt and sugar in processed food. Unfortunately, food manufacturers are generally more concerned with profit and their shareholders than with the health of the population. They also adopt clever marketing ploys to increase the consumption of their products.

Examples of marketing ploys adopted are given below so be aware of such manipulation and avoid at all costs:

1. One supermarket in the UK sells curry, pasta and Chinese meals under the label of “Healthy Living” as well as under the label “Finest”. The Finest are more expensive and have much higher levels of fat and salt-often 3 times higher. The Finest label makes the consumer think they are getting something special for their money!

2. Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola are competing to go “green” with their bottles and delivery trucks. Having damaged the environment for generations with their plastic bottles, they are now taking on the cloak of eco-warriors! These companies have been brainwashing the public for generations with their chemical and sugary mixes. These mixes either contain sugar or else artificial sweeteners and are labelled “light” or “zero” with the sugar substituted by artificial chemical sweeteners that may fuel the consumers appetite.

3. Particularly obnoxious was the recent campaign by Kellogg’s for “Coco Pops” in which they targeted bus stops with the slogan “Ever thought of Coco Pops after school”? Wake up parents as 100 grams of Coco Pops contain 35 grams of sugar ie. 7 teaspoons of sugar!! Do you really want little Johnny or Mary to go to or come home from school with this dose of sugar?!

One sensible step would be to consult “Its Your Life-A Healthy Diet Made Easy” and find out what is in your food (it costs around £4).

It is good to take more of an interest in your food and to be sceptical about food manufacturers claims. You can also find useful information in the other posts on this site, and you will find comprehensive advice in my main work:

“It’s Your Life: End the Confusion from Inconsistent Health Advice”

NB. If you enjoyed this blog then why not press the “follow” button, enter your email and confirm your interest to receive monthly updates when new articles are published . It costs nothing and only involves receiving 1-2 emails per month.