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)

[tiamat]

Tell you what, I would be charging that lawyer big-time for tying up resources "for the attention". He abused his position and ought to pay for it.

Tia

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Stay away from my supply of thin mints, stuck in the freezer with my Oreos.

[Laura Earl]

I had my car 4 1/2 years before I even took the manual out of its wrapper.

[talleyman]

"Kraft Kaves!"

Kiddies Kry "Krap!"

[Jim Noble]

I always preferred Hydrox-but for you Oreo guys-just buy two bags...

[Bluntpoint]

"When Oreos become "healthy," I'll quit eating them!"

My elected representive needs to formulate law to save you from yourself.

[kaktuskid]

Like real butter, lard, and sugar!

[Ayn Rand wannabe]

bump that!

[Quilla]

I recall reading about the lawsuit recently filed (and dropped) against the makers of Oreos. A specific, harmful ingredient was mentioned, it had an odd name but it wasn't pho. It gave the cookies a longer shelf life but was horrible for us.

BTW, your rump scenerio made me cringe.

[Arkinsaw]

I risk becoming a "liberal" by some people's definition in my old age. These products are loaded with partially hydrogenated oils which are created by an artificial process and which are used because they are cheaper than using real butter, etc. PHO remains in the body and is super linked with cancer and heart disease. There is nothing much "natural" about it. I have heard doctors (hardly fans of lawsuits) on several shows discussing this. Apparently, you could literally stick a needle into a person's rump and draw out the PHO stored there.

Sounds about right. I have come to the conclusion over the years, that we Conservatives cannot necessarily rely on big corporations to share our philosophy or do anything other than protect their short term profits.

While I oppose these lawsuits, I am all in favor of small businesses as opposed to giant global corporations. I'm in favor of lowering the barriers to entry into these markets. Government raises the barrier with paperwork and assorted BS regulations to prevent small business from entering and thus protecting the large corporations from competition.

Being in support of farmers, small businesses, local products, and natural products is definitely a conservative concept.

[areafiftyone]

Kids are fat today cuz the won't run and play outside but instead sit on their butts playing Playstation.

BINGO!!! When I was a kid we didn't have cable and didn't even have a color TV until the early 70's and the TV's only had the local channels. We didn't have computers and we were outside after school until dinner time playing sports. Then if it was summer we went out again to play after dinner. On the weekends if we didn't go somewhere with the family we were out playing again! The kids nowadays have too many opportunities so sit inside - computers, video games, cable/digital tv, big screen TV's, DVD's, VCR's, etc. We didn't have those when I was a kid in the 60's and we were soo skinny you couldn't put weight on us if you tried. Get the kids out of the house and into sports or outdoor games and you won't see huge kids anymore!

Oh, one other thing - WE WALKED to places that weren't too far!! We didn't get rides everywhere like kids do nowadays!

[Dane]

I did a search and it seems that the Nabisco name is now owned by Kraft and the Phillip Morris umbrella.

Sorry about my mistake and ignorance on keeping up with corporate transfers.

[AGreatPer]

"So this is market-driven, not lawyer-driven"

You can bet on that. They see this as an opportunity to increase sales, profit and market share and stay ahead of the food police.

[glock rocks]

hell, this is great news.

I'm gonna go buy a bag of low fat pork rinds and a bottle of diet rum and celebrate !

[Laura Earl]

Oh, one other thing - WE WALKED to places that weren't too far!! We didn't get rides everywhere like kids do nowadays!

Righto! Also, we ate real food, not the crap today that is laden with preservatives and chemicals.

[Steve_Seattle]

McDonald's has reintroduced salads to their menu, possibly also as a pre-emptive measure against health-related lawsuits. However, it could backfire. Lawyers might claim that these moves towards healthier food are in fact an admission of guilt, proving the companies knew they were previously serving unhealthy food. So this plays into the premise that restaurants are responsible for the dietary choices of customers.

[FairOpinion]

"sit on their butts playing Playstation. "
--

You are just giving another deep pocket group for the lawyers and the "victims" to sue: video game makers, TV makers, computer makers, oops, I almost forgot couch and chair makers. They should make these so they turn off every 30 minutes, just before they give you a 5 minute lecture to get off your butt and go walk around the block. That's going to be the next "improvement", maybe they'll make them so a hand will reach out and punch you in the nose to get you going, or the couch or chair to throw you, to get moving.

Because of course human beings don't have brains, aren't able to figure things out for themselves, make decisions and take actions, without daddy government and thetrial lawyers telling them what to do.

[Williams]

TY and I want to be clear that I think I have eaten more oreos in my life, including last night blended wirth ice cream in an Arctic Twister machine, and when I used to pile the cream from about ten of them into one super oreo. But the companies have every right to (hopefully) improve the products in response to consumer trends. However, it's likely they'll just make them worse in a different way. For example, all the no-fat products that were super loaded with sugar. I heard a doctor saying eating thosew ill kill you just as much as the high fat ones.

It seems to me that as good conservatives ready to take on the Sadaam Hussein's of the World, we should favor putting gym back in the curriculum and having healthier kids.

[RicocheT]

"Humanity is innocent!"

The doctrine of original sin has been repealed by the trial lawyers. Next, they will edit the ten commandments to 6 or 7.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Well if they make them healthier it means we can eat more of them says my husband! LOL.