Food politics: Who makes our food choices? Marion Nestle at the Nobel Week Dialogue 2016

Summary

The speaker discusses the complex food system, emphasizing the advocacy's role in shaping what we eat. They highlight the irony between the USDA's nutritional advice and its agricultural subsidies, which favor corn and soybeans over fruits and vegetables. The food industry's aggressive marketing, especially of unhealthy processed foods and large portion sizes, complicates individual food choices. The speaker advocates for systemic changes and policies that make healthy choices easier, citing recent soda tax initiatives as a positive step towards social justice and healthier diets.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ The speaker discusses food systems, which encompass science, agriculture, nutrition, public health, and advocacy.
• 🌍 Global public health issues such as food insecurity, obesity, and environmental damage are closely linked to our food choices.
• 🥗 The American dietary guidelines recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed foods, while discouraging the consumption of highly processed 'junk foods'.
• 🚫 The food industry's profits often come from the sale of foods that are least recommended by health professionals.
• 🌾 There's a contradiction between the USDA's nutritional advice and its agricultural subsidies, which favor crops like corn and soybeans over fruits and vegetables.
• 📈 The food industry in the U.S. produces a surplus, leading to aggressive marketing and larger portion sizes to increase consumption.
• 📊 Coca-Cola's investment in Africa to promote its products highlights the industry's global marketing strategies and their potential impact on public health.
• 🏗️ The food industry faces challenges due to overproduction and intense competition, which drives the push for increased consumption.
• 🗳️ Advocacy and activism play a crucial role in shaping food policies and influencing corporate practices.
• 🗣️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of individuals voting with their forks and supporting policies that make healthy choices more accessible.

Q & A

What does the speaker mean by 'food systems'?

The speaker refers to 'food systems' as encompassing everything from science to agriculture, nutrition, public health, and advocacy, which are all interconnected aspects that influence what we eat.

What are the three major public health problems related to food systems mentioned in the script?

The three major public health problems related to food systems mentioned are food insecurity, obesity, and the environmental damage caused by our diets, particularly those heavily dependent on meat.

According to the American dietary guidelines from 2015 to 2020, what types of foods are recommended and which are discouraged?

The guidelines recommend consuming fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed meats, while discouraging the consumption of highly processed 'junk foods' that are high in calories, salt, and sugar.

How does the speaker describe the contradiction in the US Department of Agriculture's policies?

The speaker points out a contradiction where the USDA's nutrition policy advises making half of one's plate fruits and vegetables, but its agricultural policy heavily subsidizes corn and soybeans, which are mostly used for animal feed, promoting a diet higher in meat.

What is the issue the food industry faces regarding the amount of food produced in the United States?

The food industry in the United States produces roughly twice as much food as the population needs, leading to aggressive marketing and the development of larger portion sizes to increase consumption.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of advocacy in the food system?

The speaker emphasizes advocacy because it can influence food system policies to make the healthy choice the easy choice, which is crucial given the difficulty individuals face in making healthy food choices in the current food environment.

What is the significance of the soda tax initiatives mentioned in the script?

The soda tax initiatives are significant because they represent a victory for the food movement, framing the issue as a social justice matter aimed at improving health and benefiting both people and the planet.

How does the speaker suggest individuals can influence the food system?

The speaker suggests that individuals can influence the food system by voting with their fork, meaning they should make choices that align with their values and promote a healthier food system.

What is the role of portion sizes in the food industry's strategy, according to the speaker?

The speaker indicates that the food industry has increased portion sizes as a strategy to get people to consume more calories and, consequently, more of their products.

What is the speaker's view on the effectiveness of food activists and the food movement?

The speaker views food activists and the food movement as having a significant impact, particularly in influencing policy changes like soda taxes, which are seen as steps towards making healthier choices easier.