The FDA wants to keep “junk food” junky so you will eat what they say you should.

“Pink Stuff”

The following is from The Food Lawyers newsletter:

“FDA has long had a policy against letting candy and snack food companies (chips, soft drinks, ice cream, etc.) add vitamins or protein to their products.  It’s called FDA’s “Jelly Bean Rule.”  (Honest – – I can’t make this stuff up.)  It makes it illegal to nutritionally fortify snack foods.

But now, FDA has commissioned a public survey to see how consumers react to the notion of vitamin rich snack food.  Survey findings and policy outcomes are expected in a few months.

The Food Lawyers® analysis: This is all about politics.  Government is under increasing pressure from snack/junk food companies to let them fortify their products as a sales gambit during the recession – – and FDA is looking for ammunition to fend them off.  Expect FDA to use their survey data to conclude that if people are given the option of fortified snacks, they will substitute them for more healthy food, and therefore, it can’t be allowed.  FDA is worried some people might elect to eat high protein Oreos and a box of vitamin C enriched M&M’s instead of a tuna sandwich and an orange.  FDA’s solution to this possibility: outlaw fortified snacks for everyone – – forever.

Oh, wow.  Now I get it: People can choose who should be president, but they can’t choose to eat Ben & Jerry’s with extra protein.  Thanks FDA.

The government’s got this all wrong.  The truth is that people are going to eat a given amount of Tostitos and Hershey Bars no matter what  – many lower education social segments, too much so.  If we can boost their diet with some additional nutrients, we are doing everyone a favor.  As for the notion that healthy snacks will result in some people eating too much junk food – – guess what: They’re already doing it.

Freedom of choice is a good thing.  As long as the label discloses what’s in the product, I say let people decide what’s best for them, not the government.”