A guest
post by Bridget Sandorford*
Introduction by Winton: The post comes at a time when some readers may be
considering New Year's resolutions relating to what they eat and drink. When we
have to make tough choices it is often tempting to think that
governments ought to make life easier for us by introducing more
regulation. The article has been written with particular reference to the US,
but he issues raised are relevant in many countries, including Australia.
The
post comes at an ideal time for me because it discusses an issue touched
on in my book, 'Free to Flourish', published last week.
Bridget
writes:
There
have been a number of changes to the regulations surrounding the food and
beverage industry in recent years, with the intention of cracking down on the nation's
obesity epidemic. Fast-food chains have started posting fat and calorie counts
directly on their menus, limits have been passed on the size of sugary drinks
like sodas, and so-called "fat taxes" have been proposed as a
surcharge on unhealthy foods and drinks.
All
of these changes and proposals have been introduced as a way to curb the
unhealthy eating habits that have become so ubiquitous in our culture and to
stem the rising obesity numbers.
But
is all this regulation really making us healthier? Happier? Here are a few
reasons why it can't:
Spotty
Regulation
The
recent law in New York City banning sodas and other sugary drinks from being
sold in containers over 16 ounces is a good example of the ineffectiveness of
such programs. The ban, which will take effect in the spring, will only apply
in restaurants, fast-food chains, theaters and other places that are under the
regulation of the Board of Health. What that means is that if you really want a
32-ounce soda, you won't be able to get one when you're at a Broadway show, but
you can get one by walking right next door to the 7-11.
Spotty
regulation like this means that only some food or drinks will be targeted, and
only in some cities, and will only affect some consumers. If measures such as
these are to be effective, they have to be all-encompassing.
Personal
Choice
Even
with more wide-reaching regulation, bans and taxes will never be truly
effective for one reason: Personal choice. If you live in New York and you want
a 32-ounce soda, you can get one. You just have to buy two 16-ounce sodas --
and there's no rule against that. Fat taxes are never likely to be high enough
to be cost prohibitive. Those who want the foods that are taxed will spend less on other foods to
afford them -- or, in the case of Denmark's fat tax, the citizens will just go
to neighboring countries (or states) that don't have the tax to buy foods.
Personal
choice will always be the trump card for any attempt to regulate or curb
behavior. Even if penalties are imposed, they may not be a deterrent. The key
is to get to the heart of the choice -- to find a way to change the behavior.
Food
Culture
The
reasons for our obesity epidemic are complex and include the current food
culture. Not only have servings sizes increased, but the quality of foods has
decreased. Fast food is considered acceptable dinner fare (as well as breakfast
and lunch), and not enough people seem overly concerned about feeding children
chicken nuggets and fries for a meal. Even foods that seem healthy have become
overly processed and loaded with harmful chemicals. GMO foods, corn and soy are
pervasive.
Education,
a change in food-manufacturing regulations, and a shift in our food culture
will help to solve our obesity problem. Forcing people to make the choices we want
them to will not.
What
do you think about regulations attempting to curb the consumption of unhealthy
food and drinks, like container controls and fat taxes? Do you think they can
be effective? Share your thoughts in the comments!
* Bridget Sandorford is a freelance writer and researcher for
Culinaryschools.org. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working
on her first cookbook.
No comments:
Post a Comment