Food Companies

Question: Why do food companies in the United States put sugar in everything? I only know about the US since I am a citizen. I just do not understand it why? Are the food companies in this country conspiring to make all of us fat and diabetic? I think it is ridiculous we need to stand up and tell them no more, four our health.

Answer: sweetness is an easy cheap way to appeal to people's tastes. People have grown up in this country drinking soda and other sweet flavors. At the same time, we don't seem to be exposed to sour and bitter flavors as much. Maybe we are too babied as we grow up and many of us never outgrow the simple tastes. As humans we are drawn to sweet and fat because evolution has taught out brains that these are sources of energy. Food makers exploit these.

Question: How do we encourage pet food companies to change the way they do business? Now that many of our pets have died, and many pet food manufacturers (including Purina) are recalling their products, how do we go about changing the way that pet food companies conduct their business? How do we insist that they stop outsourcing their business to suspect countries, suspect vendors, thereby endangering our precious pets? Humans will be next to be endangered by the "outsourced" food industry, mark my words.

Answer: Well I certainly agree with you Especially about the food for human consumption.Companies must be held accountable for the product they deliver to our market shelves.

Question: How much should food companies be allowed to advertise to children? There is a great problem of obesity among young people in many countries. All legitimate companies have policies on ethics. Now food companies and restaurants like McDonalds and Wendys for example, obviously will continue to advertise and make their restaurants kid friendly. Is that bad? Some people want to act as if this were a very simple issue since many, but not all foods, in fast food restaurants are fattening. Should we outlaw fast foods in our society in which so many people are in a hurry and can use such restaurants as a fun outing with the kids? That would be rather extreme. Since I need to gain weight, I love fast food restaurants in moderation. What do you think should be done to protect children from inappropriate ads which could get them started developing bad eating habits?

Answer: I don't think the issue is with advertising, I think the issue is with the parents. Cripes, put a crock pot on the night before, even toast and eggs. The issue of "not enough time" or "too tired" comes down to Laziness. My mother and father both worked full time jobs and 4 children. We all pitched in to help. Parents nowadays need to just tell kids NO and stop taking the easy way out. These commercials provide jobs and entertainment. They are not some hypnosis device which makes you do anything they tell you. That's why people have this neat thing called SELF CONTROL.

Question: Is it true that many large dog food companies have commercial breeding facilities? One of my friends told me that purina has a large commercial breeding facility as do many other dog food companies. Is this true? And if it is, what companies have them? I am not a fan of commercial breeding at all, and would prefer all dogs come from families who simply breed pets or else public shelters. It concerns me to think that many people may be supporting commercial breeding when anyone buys pet foods, toys, products,etc. If it is true, I would like to know which companies are guilty of that.

Answer: Purina has such a facility. Or at least they used to. They bred a colony of beagles.

Question: Why have many big food companies lobbied to pass laws in manystates to make it illegal to purchase raw milk? Why have many big food companies lobbied to pass laws in many states to make it illegal to purchase raw unprocessed foods directly from farmers? I'm also told that the FDA will take your livestock fine and put you in jail for selling raw milk. What's this country coming to? I think that's insane ... What's the harm in purchasing raw unprocessed foods directly from farmers? How could the government ever make that illegal?

Answer: I think that it's totally mad, too. :( Though ot might be for health concerns. One of the reasons they process it to get rid of harmful bacteria or viruses or something. :/

Question: Do dog food companies use euthanized animals in the food? Now before I get jumped, I have heard one company a long time ago was accused of this -- and I totally believe it. I've also heard how bad most dog food companies are. Do you think there are still companies that do this? I don't doubt it, but I was just wondering? The company I read about used it from shelters and vets that had put the animals down. Jennifer: Thanks for not immediently scoffing at what I had to say and trying to look into it. Autumn & Dream : Thanks for the links.

Answer: I read an article about this. Generally speaking, you only have to worry about where the meat comes from if the label just lists "meat", "meat meal", "animal digest", etc. No where does it say what kind of meat. If it says "chicken" it has to be chicken. Now, it can be any part of the chicken they want it to be...but it has to be chicken. I can't remember the brand, I think it was Pedigree, recent;y had a partial frog found canned into one of it's products. Ew. But I can think of worse things my dogs have tired to eat I suppose I found this from the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/CentersOffices/CVM/CVMFOIAElectronicReadingRoom/ucm129131.htm and in contrast this article: http://ezinearticles.com/?Does-Your-Dog-Food-Include-Euthanized-Dogs?&id=507228 Hmmmm.... ETA: And here is one stating that the FDA testing did not include many brands of dog food out there when testing for DNA. http://www.ehow.com/how_5573341_avoid-feeding-pet-euthanized-animals.html The brands accused are low quality ones...that I wouldn't feed anyways, but the thought is just kind of gross. ETA: Vets and shelters send the bodies of animals off to rendering plants...and rendering plants deal with dead carcasses from all over the animal kingdom. I'm not saying this is true, but I see where the basis is. It is illegal to sell dogs and cats for HUMAN consumption. Animal is different. As for the disposal of the bodies, it is treated just like a cow carcass that has been slaughtered. ETA: You're welcome. It is one of those things I read about once and never looked into further even though I meant to. Honestly, it could be false, it could be true. Either way, I still wouldn't feed my dog a food that didn't have an identifiable meat source.

Question: How else can fast food companies in the US get beef? Most fast food companies in the US get their meat from cattle ranches in South America which use land that was once rainforest. More and more rainforest is being destroyed to make room for these ranches.

Answer: an abundant source of protien / meat product could easily and safely be aquired if we were to do as in the movie soylent green.

Question: Why are fast food companies getting so competetive? Everytime I see a commercial for fast food there always talking about how there food is better. Now they are stealing eachothers menu items, first mcdonalds made the snack wrap then burger made there thing, then Jack in the box made a sirloin burrito, then kfc, now I see wendys making a snack wrap also. Is there a shortage of beef or somthing because they are really trying to close the other companies down?

Answer: The market has a finite size. In order to grow you need to steal the other guys business. If tweaking the menu gets someone to visit your restaurant and spend money then they are the winner....for that day anyway

Question: What is the purpose of food companies putting sooo much sodium in their soups? What is the purpose of food companies putting sooo much sodium in their soups?

Answer: I have a separate theory from the preservative idea (though I agree with he preservatives deal)...There might be something to do with how salt dries out your mouth/tongue, and therefore you become thirsty. Your body might not translate it into 'take a drink of water/ desired beverage', but instead 'I need to keep drinking/eating this soup'. To satisfy our thirst we subconsciously crave the soup more while it is in front of us. We come to interpret this as the act of ENJOYING and LIKING the soup. Therefore, we buy it again. This...and because it DOES sort of make it taste better...have to admit!

Question: How do I pitch a great food idea to companies that do not want to hear about it or want it for free? I have a great and I mean great idea about a food product to offer. Obviously I dont want to give this idea out for free. Everyone that I have told the idea to thinks its great but when I try to get in contact with different food companies they are no help at all and tell me they have their own idea team. Are they saying that their workers have the only smart and creative minds around?? I really believe in this product but would like a major company to hear me out and pay me for my idea. Any advice???????? Please help me out. Thanks

Answer: DON'T and I mean DO NOT offer samples or discuss your idea with anyone until you have the proper patents and copyrights and all that other legal crap so no one can steal your idea. Then, market your idea. If no one wants to listen to you, then make them listen by starting your own company. There are grants and loans for your start-up costs. And for all the people that shot you down, you can rub it in their faces when your product gets the recognition it deserves.

Question: Are there any food brands or food companies I should avoid? Are there any food brands that I should stay away from? For example, are there any food brands that have been importing food from countries that use illegal pesticides, or companies that have been suspected of using untrained workers in slaughterhouses? Anything like that? Please provides links to info if you can! I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

Answer: I would watch food inc. and avoid GMOs!!! (and, in the states food companies are allowed to include GMOs in the ingredients, unlisted http://www.fourgreensteps.com/community/blogs/health-wellness-fashion/usda-friend-or-genetically-modified-foe

Question: Why do food companies mill the whole grain? Why do food companies remove the bran and germ from the whole grain and leave the endosperm? What percentage of the whole grain is endosperm? It doesnt seem cost effective to remove these elements and then "enrich" the flour after the fact.

Answer: Besides what the first answerer said, whole grains spoil MUCH more rapidly than refined grain! That's a major incentive to refine the grain. It may not seem cost effective to add back to the refined product but it's much cheaper than having product spoil. The percentage of endosperm varies depending on which grain you're dealing with. You can search for the term endosperm and whatever particular grain you're interested in to get that data on each as I'm not aware of any particular site that deals with them all, but you might find this link interesting and educational: http://waltonfeed.com/self/grains.html

Question: Should snack food companies be required to post all the nutritional information in their print and broadcast a? Should snack food companies be required to post all the nutritional information in their print and broadcast advertising? (sorry, the title question got cut off)

Answer: How about the CONSUMERS being more responsible in their buying habits? The information is available in many places already that the consumer can look it up, plus it's printed right on the packaging. Let's put the blame where it belongs instead of trying to defer it to others. The consumers are to blame for buying it. No one is forcing them to.

Question: Do you think fast food companies should be banned from including toys in their kids meals? A county in California is making it illegal for fast food companies to add toys to their happy meals stating they cause kids to choose unhealthy meals like burgers and french fries. Do you agree with this law or do you think it should be the parents responsibility to teach their children how to make healthier food choices?

Answer: I believe it's the parents responsibility to teach their kids about healty food choices, even though what the califorian county is doing is good too.

Question: Should there be Federal regulations preventing fast food companies from exploitng farmers? Above is my research question that I decided to further explore. The only problem is that I can't find information on the shady business practices most buyers and fast food companies commit(Oligopsony). I know the information is there because, it was mentioned in the book I read for class, "Fast Food Nation". Please, can anyone point me in the right direction in locating this type of information. Weather it be a court case or website(reputable) that provides annectdotes of some sort would be pivitol. Thank You.

Answer: There are shady business practices all over the food industries because their only concern is profits, not the health of the consumer. I could think of a zillion laws which would benefit the public. However, one must not lose sight of the fact that, if you wish to live in a free society, then you have to be prepared to put up with many imperfections, otherwise you end up with a wonderful country known as a police state, something you may wish to mention. Personally I would never allow MY family to eat at a fast food place but that would be MY choice. I live in Indonesia and I do not allow pre-prepared food into the house with it's MSG etc.

Question: How can I start a class action law suit against natural cat food companies for not keeping their canned? cat food consistent? I am sick of having to return cat food to the store because I purchased a case that was hard, or too mushy, or my cat won't eat it because it's not like the last case they ate...I am sick of wasting my time and the expensive medication that I have to put in their food that eventually gets dumped down the disposal. I have written to these companies, spoken with them on the phone, done everything I can think of, but the madness continues. I am sure that I am not alone on this and it needs to be stopped. As expensive as the healthy food is to buy for our pets, we should insist that the food is consistent each and every time.

Answer: Boycott the company, move on to another company. In order to file a class action, you will have to have at least three plaintiffs, but the courts would consider this suit as frivolous and would not even consider it. I go through the same thing, I use to buy Authority kitten food, Petsmarts own brand. No by-products and my kittens loved it. The problem was Petsmart was always out of it. I had to change brands and my kittens now are eating Pro Plan by Purina and I don't want to tell you how much that cost, believe me it ain't cheap. Good Luck.