Information about the Aspen Ideas Festival is here. I am scheduled for a session, The American Wellness Paradox, currently scheduled from 11:00-11:50 a.m., at the East Lawn Tent. This will be a discussion with senior HHS policy advisor, Calley Means. Here’s the blurb on it: “Americans are spending more than ever on healthcare, supplements, wellness trends, and “clean eating,” yet rates of chronic disease and metabolic illness continue to climb. As skepticism fuels the rise of movements like MAHA, debates over what Americans should eat have become deeply cultural, political, and economic. Two influential voices with sharply different perspectives on nutrition and food science explore how food systems, farming practices, consumer culture, and the wellness industry collided to create one of the defining public health debates of our time.”
by Marion Nestle
Feb
15
2017
Dairy vs. Almonds: who gets to call it “milk?”
The National Milk Producers Federation wants the House and Senate to introduce two “Dairy Pride Acts.” These would require the FDA to rule taht anything labeled milk, cheese, or yogurt has to come from cows—none of this almond, soy, or rice milk nonsense.
Why? Because it will confuse consumers into thinking that—horrors—almond, soy, or rice is just as nutritious as dairy products.
Why do I think that anyone buying almond, soy, or rice milk knows perfectly well what these are?
This is about protecting the dairy industry—marketing, not science, alas.
The Plant-Based Foods Association opposes both bills, no surprise.
Background on the bills:
- https://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/dairy-pride-act
- http://www.wpr.org/proposed-law-could-prevent-non-dairy-producers-calling-products-milk
- http://www.agweek.com/livestock/dairy/4197585-dairy-farmer-and-dairy-foods-groups-support-milk-labeling-law
- The New York Times’ account
- The Washington Post account (I’m quoted)
