Food Companies, GOP Fear ‘Extraordinary Pressure From the Federal Gov’t’ Over Junk Food Guidelines
- Posted on July 6, 2011 at 11:06pm by
Billy Hallowell
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WASHINGTON (The Blaze/AP) — House Republicans are siding with food companies resisting the Obama administration’s efforts to pressure them to stop advertising junk food for children.
Some food companies say the government is going too far with guidelines proposed earlier this year by several government agencies. The voluntary guidelines would attempt to shield children from ads for sugary and fatty foods – think colorful characters on cereal boxes – on television, in stores and on the Internet. Companies would be urged to market foods to children ages 2 through 17 only if they contain specific healthy ingredients and are low in fats, sugars and sodium.
Even though the guidelines are voluntary, many companies are aggressively lobbying against them, saying they fear the government will retaliate against them if they don’t go along.
Republicans are attempting to delay the guidelines by including a provision in next year’s Federal Trade Commission budget that would require the government to study the potential costs and impacts of the guidelines before implementing them.
As food companies have protested, criticism has ramped up on Capitol Hill. Missouri Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, the Republican who sponsored the provision, says she is concerned that the voluntary rules “would lead to extraordinary pressure from the federal government.”
Other Republicans have called the rules overreach, saying they encompass too many foods. The standards are meant to crack down on ads for the unhealthiest foods, but others are caught in the crossfire. Advertising for some whole wheat breads would be restricted because they have too much sodium, for example, and bottled water could be targeted because it doesn’t include enough nutrients.
Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., a supporter of Emerson’s effort, said the guidelines are “basing decisions on emotions and not facts.”
Some Democrats have shown concern with the voluntary rules, as well. Rep. G. K. Butterfield of North Carolina, in a letter to the government agencies in charge of the effort, said the government “has produced no evidence that I am aware of that the proposed restrictions will serve the government’s goals of changing long-term eating habits.”
The spending bill that includes the delay cleared the House Appropriations Committee last month. It could come before the full House as early as next week.
Food companies argue that the rules are back-door regulations that could trample their First Amendment rights of free speech. Scott Faber, a lobbyist for the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents the nation’s largest food companies, says his group estimates the standards would affect marketing of almost all of the nation’s favorite foods.
“What is very troubling about the administration’s proposal is that they would have us drastically change food marketing without presenting any evidence that it changes diets or assessing the costs,” Faber said.
Health advocates disagree.
“The industry is exaggerating the influence of these voluntary regulations to gin up opposition,” said Margo Wootan of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “These standards are supposed to provide a model of how self-regulation can work.”
While opponents of the guidelines are using examples of healthy foods that would be covered to make their point, Wootan points out that advertising for many foods would be allowed – including children‘s chicken nuggets meals from McDonald’s and Burger King and cereals such as Frosted Mini Wheats and Honey Bunches of Oats.
As criticism has become louder, the Federal Trade Commission – which developed the voluntary regulations with the Agriculture Department, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control – has tried to debunk what it says are myths about the standards.
In a posting on the FTC Web site, David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, says there are no legal consequences for companies that don’t follow the rules.
“Nobody’s saying Toucan Sam has to fly the coop,” Vladeck said. “Ideally, during the next five years it would be great to see the cereal companies voluntarily tweak their formulations to raise the whole grain content and lower the added sugars for cereals marketed to children.”
Vladeck also addressed the issue of government overreach.
“The proposal is designed to support – not supplant – moms and dads,” he wrote.
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Comments (73)
Amy
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 7:37amI guess the only way for Obamacare to actually work is for no one to ever get ill.
Report Post »50BMG
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 7:22amScrew Obama. Screw the government. The time has come for another American Revolution.
Report Post »Honcho
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:46amThis is great. I mean why not tamper with whatever parts of the economy still around?
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:25amThe question to ask is this… Does this bring more freedom or less??? When the American govt tries to usurp or freedoms, it is time we, as a people rise up and say HELL NO!!!
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:26am(CORRECTION) … usurp our freedoms…
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:24amThey just want more junk food for Michelle.
Report Post »AmericanSince1619
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:23amHunger and thirst exist to be satisfied. But woe to him who eats for the sake of eating or drinks for the sake of drinking.
There is no freedom in Germany to do whatever one wants, and there will be no such freedom, because otherwise Germany would not exist.
Socialism means: “The common good before the individual good.”
Socialism means: “Think not of yourself, but of the whole, of the people and the state.”
Every community grows around a leader. He is the center of its order, which forms around him. A number of these leaders form a larger community, and stand around their leader as a living order. It all grows from below—the number growing ever smaller—like a pyramid, and finds its epitome in the Führer of the Reich.
Helmut Stellrecht, Glauben und Handeln. Ein Bekenntnis der jungen Nation (Berlin: Zentralverlag der NSDAP., Franz Eher Nachf., 1943). Materials for Hitler Youth, published by the NAZi Party’s own publishing house.
Report Post »jose wasabi
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 6:07amParents hold the purse strings and make the decision as to what their kids can eat. This is unneeded and just another violation of our freedom.
Report Post »How about solving the deficit problem, excess spending, no jobs, no manufacturing, immigration and security, …..
This is not the governments role.A Slippery Slope.
slvrserfr
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:15amThese rules are totally unconstitutional, if an obese person wants to scarf down a greasy burger, that is their independent decision. Does the declaration not state, “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”? Wouldn’t this fall under that category? Our founders and even Europeans were commonly known to resort to a local bar and drink high carb brews. Benjamin Franklin was a large person and managed to live a long life. These policies are nothing more than oppressive and part of the progressive liberal agenda, straight from control freak Cass Sunstein, its an outrage and a violation of everyones Constitutional and independent rights.
Report Post »endgamer
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:47amThe problem isn’t the food.. It’s how the food is produced that is unhealthy.. Additives, chemicals, preservatives, the types of sugar (example is it pure CANE sugar over Monsanto GMO sugar beets?)
used, hormones in the food, Is it GMO potatoes?. When McDonald’s is the LARGEST buyer of beef, potatoes, lettuce, chicken, pork etc in the nation, the way food is produced is drastically changed for the sake of cost and conformity of product across the nation.
What I’m saying is that we need to get multinational conglomerates out of the food industry and have MORE competition and MORE farmers producing food locally. We will have healthier food with less regulation deigned to protect these huge corporations as well. We should NOT be forced to buy GM food, seeds etc..
Lastly.. Get your kids outside and return physical education to schools!! Kids need to be outside running around and playing! We will have healthier kids if we take the initiative..SO in a nutshell
Report Post »More competition, less regulation (freedom for farmers to choose) = healthy food. More exercise = healthy kids and healthy adults!!
TEIN
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 10:29amIt is these same Libby/Progressive that has legislated and regulated the scenario you speak of….
Report Post »I am concerned, because it is my child, my responsibility, and I do not need government telling me if I can give my kid a box of cold cereal or not based on speculation and Pres. O’s wife who was not voted in, and who’s opinion should not be considered valid for any type of USA legislation.
RepubliCorp
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:39amThe (Tax Junkies) love this stuff because it opens the door to a new list of products they can “Sin Tax”
Report Post »A “Tax Junkie” Is anyone that makes a living off the public dole.
As soon as you hear it is for the (better good) it is about stealing your money
A tax junkie could not care less if you live or die……..power to regulate is power to steal
Tax junkies are economy and freedom destroyers and always start out by using children or the elderly attain what the want
outsidethebox
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 3:19amIf it tastes good eat it. Enough said.
Report Post »Cuthalu
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 3:15amCan’t adults be left to decide to not buy junk food on their own? I do not need anyone telling me not to eat or buy junk food, I avoid junk food on my own.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 3:03amWhat we need is a constitution based on limited government and individual liberty…I read somewhere that there was a country that had such a constitution, and that people from around the world traveled across vast oceans to reach that land, in order to live their lives as free people, with no fear of government, because…..they WERE the government….in other words.. a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 2:08amThe TEA party movement is more than just about Taxed Enough Already it’s about fighting back against big govt. especially the federal govt. No more nanny state. Resist the govt. yoke. Give me liberty or give me death!
Report Post »YouReallyThinkThat...Really
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:23pmHow many thousands of people have to die before the Fed is allowed to regulate? Seriously. I mean that question in all practicality. Is the government not responsible for protecting your right to LIFE as well as your liberty? Where do those two ideals intertwine in your political philosophy? There is a war being waged against your health that you are not even aware of and the people who benefit are big business and health insurance companies. Defend yourself against them.
Report Post »NuffSaid
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 2:05amAre liberals bio-degradable or would they need to be treated as “hazardous waste?”
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 2:04amThey should practice what they preach. The Obamas preach to others but eat like pigs. It’s okay for them to eat big fat hamburgers with grease oozing out of them with fries and have behinds that measure a good 50+ inches but we shouldn’t be allowed to even have a soda pop. That is just how progressives think though. They need the jets, mansions and the fatty foods but the rest of us mere peasants to them, not worthy of even their crumbs.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:57amThese totalitarian nanny state pigs need to back off and leave America alone. If they dropped dead, the world would be a better (and safer) place, with more freedom.
With the entire American economy teetering on the brink of collapse, Russia and China circling around us like the greedy, power-mad vultures that they are, you’d think these rétardéd moonbat liberals could learn how to prioritize. Guess not…
Report Post »YouReallyThinkThat...Really
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 4:27pmPrioritize? You mean like your right to LIFE, then liberty, then the pursuit of property? Face it, these big businesses are killing you slowly with their food and your priorities are the one’s out of wack. I love freedom with a burning passion but your right to live a healthy life is being infringed upon my friend.
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:53amNow that OBAMACARE has passed, Big Brother is going MAKE you eat healthy by simply eliminating choices through legislation. “It’s your patriotic duty to eat your vegetables, citizen!”
The time to voice your opposition to this tyranny is NOW.
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:02pmIt is obvious to me that you have not read the PPAFHC bill, (ObamaCare), or you would know that considerable regulation over school meals, restaurant offerings and food processing are already included it it. It also gives the government access to every citizens bank account and the authority to electronically withdraw funds from those accounts. Healthcare for union members and community organizing organizations will be subsidized, (read: paid for by the government). There are a lot of things in the ObamaCare bill that have nothing to do with health care but everything to do with the loss of individual freedom. Y’all ought to read it sometime.
Report Post »TADTAD
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:43amIt’s just incredible. Leftists/Marxists/Progressives/Liberals/Useful Idiots/Dupes all want free love and free health care and free condoms handed out to 12 year olds, but they want to dominate WTF we eat. God, how I do hate these people…, the only thing I’m afraid about dying is not taking a commie with me.
Semper Fi
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:42am^____^____^
Ill decide what I and my family will eat thank you! 1984 here we come!
How much is enough America? The longer you stay silent on these insane policies coming out from this regime the more you will lose!
Corporate America you better wake up and stop sitting on the sidelines. The line in the sand has been drawn you are deemed the bad guy. Fine so be it its time for you to take sides and start HELPING those of us in the conservative movement trying to preserve what left of the America we know. The longer you stay silent the more regs will be on its way against you too!
The complacency in allowing the takeover by progressive radicals in this country is pathetic. That someone you are waiting for to do something is YOU!!
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Slayer
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:40amThis has nothing to do with food. It has everything to do with the government seeing an area they need to control. Follow the money. Once the government gets full control over food growth, production, distribution and even serving/sales, they can put the entire food industry under the government umbrella which can then be unionized under SEIU – and voila! Free money for the DNC as every employee‘s check is ’voluntarily’ garnished.
Report Post »TEA!
timej31
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:37amprogressives think mankind progresses into some intelligent being. the problem with progressives are they only have theories. and a person with one is never at the mercy of someone with experience.
Report Post »Ron_WA
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:37amKeep the govt’s Happy A$$ out of my kid’s Happy Meal!
Report Post »thelonious
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 12:47pmYea so you can continue to poison your kid. This is why the gub’ment has to step in, because some citizens are so stubborn and content with the frugality they’ll continue to believe fast food is healthy.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:34amFood police .. control of every aspect of your lives …… Wake up people before it is too late.
TEA!
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 5:00amYou’re on it, CATB…..
Report Post »It‘s about ’CONTROL’!
So many stupid Americans can’t wait to give up all of their freedoms.
I can see Mary in her BMW or Mercedes sitting in traffic on the beltway. What a little Marxist b itch.
Run anyone out of Washington who believes in regulations that restrict our personal choices of anything.
Jacque
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 9:21amThe way the dictator and his thing stuff their faces with french fries, potato salad and ribs (and he smokes another lie to his wife) shouldn’t we be seeing a stroke or something???Just saying!
Report Post »cookcountypatriot
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 1:15amthe world is full of countrys who have adopted progressive policys…and are we not all like lil bugs in a rug..? a really nasty rug…the kind dogs slide thiers asses over….all because of progressives..time to clean the rug folks….vote em out in 2012
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on July 7, 2011 at 11:20amJust freaking go to Canada or Mexico!
TEA!
Whiners!
Report Post »