1. General Mills CEO, Jeff Harmening, reassures investors that taste is what drives sales, despite renewed concerns about the health impacts of processed foods and increased attention to food labels.
2. Federal dietary guidelines may soon address the role of ultra-processed foods in healthy eating, potentially leading to changes in federal programs and affecting the food industry.
3. The majority of the U.S. food supply is considered ultra-processed, and while some argue that processing is necessary, studies suggest that excessive consumption of these foods may contribute to diet-related diseases.
In a recent speech, General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening emphasized the importance of taste in food, stating, “People like food that tastes really good.” Harmening’s comments were made in response to concerns about the health impact of processed foods and the ongoing debate surrounding “ultra-processed” foods. While Harmening acknowledged that consumers do care about nutrition, he argued that General Mills excels at making food that is both delicious and good for you.
However, research has shown that consuming too much of certain tasty foods can contribute to high rates of diet-related diseases, such as obesity, cancer, and mental health problems. As a result, regulators may begin to warn against eating too much ultra-processed food, which is broadly defined as food with few or no remaining whole-food ingredients. Industry groups are lining up in opposition to these warnings.
Starting next year, federal dietary guidelines may address the role of ultra-processed foods in healthy eating for the first time. This could lead to changes in federal programs and have a ripple effect throughout the American food industry, which makes billions of dollars selling processed foods like Lunchables and frozen pizzas to schools.
While the nutrition quality of the American diet remains poor, it is possible to build a healthy diet with ultra-processed foods, according to leading nutrition researcher Julie Hess. Nearly 75% of the US food supply is considered ultra-processed, including staple foods like milk, bread, and flour. Marion Nestle, a nutritionist, describes ultra-processed foods as “industrially-produced foods formulated to be irresistibly delicious that can’t be made in home kitchens”. This category includes many breakfast cereals, yogurts, chicken nuggets, and plant-based meat alternatives.
General Mills has argued in a letter to the federal Department of Health and Human Services that not all processed foods are nutritionally equivalent and do not have the same impact on health. However, foods designed to be hyperpalatable with high fat, sugar, or sodium often displace nutritionally dense foods in diets, according to studies.
Food companies have positioned many of their products as health-conscious, such as “heart-healthy” Cheerios. However, the main selling points for most packaged food remains taste, price, and convenience. The leading food companies, including Kraft, Nestle, Hormel, Post, and Land O’Lakes, all sell products that fall into the ultra-processed category.
General Mills acknowledges that processing is a necessary part of modern food production, stating that it helps consumers meet their nutritional needs within their abilities, budget, and preferences. Joan Slavin, a nutrition professor at the University of Minnesota, who served on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, agrees that processing is a necessary part of modern food production. She argues that eliminating all ultra-processed foods would result in increased food waste, higher food costs, and people would not be healthier.
Overall, Harmening’s comments highlight the tension between taste and nutrition when it comes to food choices. While many processed foods may be tasty, there is growing evidence that consuming excessive amounts of these foods can have negative health effects. Balancing taste and nutrition is a challenge for both consumers and food companies. It is important to make informed choices and incorporate a variety of minimally processed, whole foods into our diets for optimal health.
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