KRAFT KAVES! Maker of Oreos to Revamp Products: Cites Obesity

Associated Press -- "Kraft to Revamp Products: Cites Obesity" ^ | July 1, 2003 | Deborah Cohen

[L.N. Smithee]

By Deborah Cohen

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Kraft Foods Inc., the biggest U.S. maker of processed foods, on Tuesday said it would cap portion sizes, eliminate marketing in schools and reformulate some products as the food industry faces increasing legal blame for obesity and unhealthy eating trends.

The maker of Oreo cookies and Velveeta cheese spreads said this year it will develop a range of standards to improve the overall nutritional content of its products and the way it sells them. It will begin making changes to the way it manufactures and markets foods beginning next year.

The cost of the measures, which are sweeping, could not be estimated, according to a spokesman for the company, based in the Chicago suburb of Northfield, Illinois.

Critics are quick to point out that Kraft may be on the defensive at a time of heightened criticism over the role big food companies play in contributing to growing health problems in the United States. No. 1 fast-food chain McDonald's Corp. has already been the target of a highly publicized lawsuit linking its burgers to obesity in children.

"This is sort of a preemptive move to stave off the lawyers and the critics," said Henry Anhalt, an endocrinologist and director of the "Kids Weight Down" program at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn.

"What I think is going on is that the soothsayers are saying that coming down the pike are going to be large lawsuits, class action suits looking at cardiovascular disease, premature death, diabetes, and they're going to turn to the food industry and lay it on their feet," he said.

Still, he applauded Kraft for making changes that he believes will make a difference. Kraft could set standards that other major food companies could follow.

Obesity among adults in the United States has doubled since 1980, and tripled among adolescents, according to the U.S. surgeon general.

Kraft acknowledged that the moves may in part help indemnify the company against potential lawsuits.

"We're making these commitments first and foremost because we think it is the right thing to do for the people who use our products and for our business, but if it also discourages a plaintiff's attorney or unfair legislation, that's fine with us." said Michael Mudd, a Kraft spokesman.

GLOBAL EFFORTS

Kraft said its efforts would be global, focusing on product nutrition, marketing practices, information for consumers and public advocacy. It is forming an advisory council to help develop standards for the company's approach to health issues.

Marketing fatty and sugar-laden foods to children has been a hot-button in the news. Last week, New York City's school system decided to remove candy, soda and sweet snacks from school vending machines.

Last month, the head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) said that agency plans to push for expanded nutritional labeling on food products.

Kraft said the changes it will make will include advertising and marketing to children to encourage appropriate eating behaviors and active lifestyles.

The company, which used to promote its products on Channel One, a news channel played in secondary schools, will now cease all in-school marketing.

Other big food industry players are also taking defensive measures. McDonald's in March announced worldwide initiatives to help promote healthy lifestyles and provide consumers with expanded product information. It has also assembled an advisory council.

"This is an ongoing battle," said Keith Patriquin, a buy-side analyst with Loomis Sayles, which holds shares of Kraft and other big food names. "Trial lawyers ... are looking for the next big thing."

Earlier this year, a lawsuit was filed in California seeking to ban Kraft's Oreo cookies. The suit, which drew criticism in legal circles for potentially abusing the U.S. court system, was withdrawn less than two weeks later.

Shares of Kraft, which is majority owned by tobacco giant Altria Group Inc., were off 25 cents at $34.30 in mid-morning New York Stock Exchange (news - web sites) trading. (With reporting by Brad Dorfman in Chicago)

[Shooter 2.5]

They already came out with those. I don't know what they're called but they have a chocolate center.

And no, I won't be eating those either.

[Libertina]

LOL Can't take diversity, can you? ;)

[SendShaqtoIraq]

"But we burned off anything we ate because we were active. Kids are too lazy nowadays!"

In a way, yes. But this is also partly the fault of both parents working. Then you tell the kids to stay inside with the doors locked when they get home from school because you don't want them playing outside without anybody watching.

[adam_az]

The "nutrasweet causes MS" stuff is a crock of crap...

I was once take in by it myself, but some research turned it up to be an urban myth.

Here's one good expose...

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/blasp.htm

[adam_az]

L-Lysine prevents the reproduction of various herpes virus, which are what cause cold sores.

[adam_az]

Try Burger King fries. They changed theirs a few years ago and added some sort of coating that gives them a really good flavor and they are usually crispy. I think the coating must have salt in it too because you rarely need to salt them.

Disgusting.... They spray on powdered starch and sugar to make the outside crispy once the frozen potatos are thrown into who knows how old of oil.

Run, do not walk, to your nearest wal-mart, and buy a "Fry Daddy," then go to the grocery store (unless you live near Super Walmart!) and buy some potato and peanut oil.

Slice however you like (food processor is handy) and deep fry.

You will never want for fast food fries again.

[honeygrl]

"Run, do not walk, to your nearest wal-mart, and buy a "Fry Daddy," then go to the grocery store (unless you live near Super Walmart!) and buy some potato and peanut oil. "

Got one, tried it, didn't like the flavor of real ones. I like my fake potatos.

[areafiftyone]

True. We were didn't have to worry about that stuff. My mom worked when we were kids (my mother was a single mother - Divorced) and we came come before she did but we could play outside or in the park without her worrying. You are rigth, times were different then. I really feel sorry for kids nowadays. I wish things could be different for them. :-(

[newgeezer]

But I still think the company intentionally keeps Diet Coke tasting more like chemicals than Classic Coke in order to absolutely insure the flagship brand reigns supreme over their arch-enemy Pepsi.

You may be right about that. If so, I guess they figure that being #1 is more important than total sales. Because, I gotta believe there are fewer diet-soda consumers who will drink a Classic Coke once in a while, than there are those of us who will never drink a "fat" soda and thus buy NO Coke products (that's me). I'd buy lots of Diet Classic Coke if they made it. But, if they're so worried that it would cannibalize Coke sales, scr*w 'em. :O)

Along the same lines, I wonder why Pepsi One never really took off. It does taste more like regular Pepsi, though still not quite right.

I thought so, too. But, in my experience, its shelf life was severely limited and, when it got old, it really tasted horrible. Really horrible. I wonder if that killed it.

the diet soft drink that tastes most like the original is Diet Dr. Pepper.

Agreed.

[tiamat]

Thanks for the link!

Tia

[ffusco]

No me...I Power Freep- a health cardio workout. There I'm out of breath already-phew!

[ffusco]

You are correct. Smaller servings always cost more- more packaging and more profit.

[freepatriot32]

mana from heaven dipped in ambrosia isnt as good as krispy kreme doughnuts :-)

[SamAdams76]

I'm a couple of days late but here are the scales that I have at home. They are highly recommended.

[maxwellp]

A "healthy" cookie does taste awful. When I developed diabetes I tried making many "non-fat, non-sugar" treats. Forget it. There is no such thing. They are God-awful. So I just stopped eating "healthy" cookies, etc. Maybe three times a year I do eat a couple of Oreos and enjoy them. When I test my sugar after the Oreos, it's a little high. But when I eat steak for dinner, the next morning my glucose monitor flashes an alarm because the reading is so high. And nobody seems to be going after the beef industry -yet. Where will it all end?

[floriduh voter]

Now I'm mad. I eat Double Stuff Oreos and I am not fat. So, guess I'll change brands to Famous Amos but will miss the extra filling.

They are discriminating against thin peoples' right to eat what they want. If I were thin, gay and black, I'd say that this needs to go all the way up to that dandy Supreme Court. Cookies are about their speed these days since most of the USSC has dementia.

[floriduh voter]

Remember how long "New Coke" lasted after they received thousands of complaints from Coca Cola Classic consumers (addicts)?

I say if they ruin Oreos, we boycott them and call them INCESSANTLY to complain.

Since when do TRIAL LAWYERS get to tell me what I can snack on? Is it any wonder President Bush and his brother dislike trial lawyers? ME TOO!!! This could be hugh. Seriesly.

[floriduh voter]

Exactly. I just posted re: New Coke which lasted about 3 weeks if my memory serves me correctly.

EAT FAMOUS AMOS COOKIES. They won't mess with him... LOL

[TigersEye]

You got that right. I wonder how you "reformulate" a chocolate cookie with creamy filling dipped in fudge to make it more healthful.

Tofu and carob. Limit - one per customer.

[honeygrl]

My mother in law has some *great* sugar free recipes she uses to bake cakes for a few diabetic friends of hers. If you are interested, next time I visit her I can copy a few of the better ones for you and freepmail them to you. Just freepmail me if you want me to do it. She lives about 4 hours away so it may be a month or so before my next visit but I don't mind getting a few for you if you want them. She's a great cook and has many many many books of recipes. She can point out the ones for me that actually taste good.