Processed Foods: Outline. What s the issue? Some History of Food Processing Current Status Critics of Processed Foods Kessler Pollen Conclusions

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1 Processed Foods: What s the issue? Daryl Lund, Professor Emeritus University of Wisconsin- Madison Outline What s the issue? Some History of Food Processing Current Status Critics of Processed Foods Kessler Pollen Conclusions 1

2 Diet Soda causes strokes?? Not a peer-reviewed study Not replicated Not properly controlled for all variables BUT Picked up by national press services!! But the researchers said that more investigation would be needed before they'd feel comfortable recommending patients stay away from the fizzy stuff. The study's findings were intriguing, but they don't prove cause and effect; for one thing, people who drink soda every day, diet or otherwise, may also engage in other less-than-healthy behaviors, like eating a lot of high-fat, high-cholesterol foods. Researchers also acknowledge that relying on participants' self-reported dietary behavior was a significant limitation of the study. Further, participants were asked about their soda-drinking habits only once, at the start of the study; their behaviors may have changed significantly over the follow-up period. Researchers also did not collect data on family history of stroke nor did they measure long-term changes in participants' weight. 2

3 Did you see this? The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food Michael Moss NY Times Magazine

4 Terms that are confusing! Processed Foods Minimally Processed Foods Fortified Foods Formulated Foods Food Supplements Fast Foods Fresh Foods Food Science and Food Processing is Not a Modern Concept They are thousands of years old Early forms of food preparation (cooking, smoking, fermenting, drying, salting) provided basic survival Domestication of plants and animals; planting and harvesting farming methods developed and refined Ancient food technologists in Greece created three major foods bread, olive oil and wine through complex processing methods And have helped early civilization overcome disease and improve health Cooking and Preservation were passed down over generations from important food scientists moms and grandmas 4

5 What do M.B.A. s learn about how to succeed in marketing? Discover what consumers want to buy and give it to them with both barrels. Sell more, keep your job! How do marketers often translate these rules into action on food? Our limbic brains love sugar, fat, salt.... So formulate products to deliver these. Perhaps add low-cost ingredients to boost profit margins. Then supersize to sell more.... And advertise/promote to lock in heavy users. More to the story?? Some History of Food Processing Current Status Critics of Processed Foods Kessler Pollen Conclusions 5

6 Foraging to Farming to Food Science and Engineering World s population (billions) Introduction of Food Science and Hunter-Gatherer Agricultural Industrial Engineering 4 million yrs ago 10,000 yrs ago (Henry, 1997) Chronology of Challenges Converting raw products to edible foods Preserving those foods Providing food security Ensuring safety of foods Getting adequate nutrition from foods Maintain original texture/flavor composition during mass production Avoiding or limiting less nutritious/ unhealthy foods Targeting foods to subpopulations Young, immuno-compromised, allergic, etc. Targeting foods to individuals 6

7 Food Today Challenges are extreme Developed vs Developing Countries Overnutrition vs Undernutrition Food Safety vs Food Security In Developed Countries Today s consumer enjoys safe, diverse, affordable and abundant food supply Negative perceptions exist about the food supply Consumer concerned about food safety Misinformation and confusion about food and where it comes from 7

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9 America the Land of Plenty 33% of American Children are Obese or Overweight We pretty much can eat what we want when we want it We enjoy a widely diverse, sophisticated and global selection of flavors and foods Photo from What the World Eats 2008 In developing countries it is another story. 1 Billion people are chronically hungry 3.5 million children die from undernutrition Up to 50% of crops are lost post-harvest Not properly processed Not packaged Food Insecurity is being addressed by hundreds of programs globally a few coordinated. 9

10 Definition of Food FDA SEC [21 U.S.C. 321] CHAPTER II DEFINITIONS (f) The term "food" means (1)articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3)articles used for components of any such article. (r) The term "raw agricultural commodity" means any food in its raw or natural state, including all fruits that are washed, colored, or otherwise treated in their unpeeled natural form prior to marketing. (gg) The term "processed food" means any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling. What are processed foods? International Food Information Council Definitions Processed foods includes, among other things, fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, eggs, etc. that have been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling. Minimally processed foods receive only minimal heat processing or other preservation treatment to ensure their safety from bacteria or other foodborne illness. They are either stored under refrigeration or frozen and require partial cooking or heating by the consumer. 10

11 Definitions Continued Prepared foods consist of one or more foods and/or ingredients that has already been cooked and is either ready to eat as is, or only needs to be heated before consuming. It does not require any additional preparation, such as adding uncooked foods and/or ingredients and cooking or baking before eating. Depending on the foods and/or ingredients in a prepared food, it may or may not need to be refrigerated or frozen after purchasing until the consumer is ready to consume it. Organic foods are produced with an emphasis on the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides. A Couple of Examples of Recent Books on the Subject David Kessler The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite Michael Pollen In Defense of Food: An Eater s Manifesto 11

12 Kessler s Premise Everyone has a bliss point Bliss Point: that point during consumption of food at which you feel satiated Food industry has figured out how to block the bliss point and make you overeat Hence the epidemic of obesity is orchestrated by the food industry Incorrect Conclusion! Industry has figured out that human taste responds to: Sugar Salt and Fat 12

13 Pollen s Premises 1972 McGovern Committee defined US dietary goals by constituents ( carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals) rather than foods Lack of a food culture (like France) has reduced eating to an activity rather than a passion The food industry has made food taste too good so you cannot stop eating it Home preparation, not fast foods, are more desirable Pollen s Recommendations Eat food not too much; mostly plants 13

14 Wisconsin Dairy Farmer s Take on Pollen s Book Go Big Read comment from George Roemer UW CALS 70 Eat responsibly Eat together Be grateful for abundance Thank a farmer! Conclusions The obesity epidemic has opened the gates to all comers for comment on the status of the food supply in the US. Everyone has an opinion of food processing and its value. Scientists have an obligation to make sure the record is correct regardless of consequence. 14

15 Thanks and remember! Everything in moderation; Nothing in excess! 15