How junk food marketers use science and deep pockets to exploit children

What are parents up against? Highly sophisticated marketers who spend billions and hire top experts to figure out how to exploit your children’s natural biology and psychology to get them to crave junk food. That’s according to a short Food MythBusters video.

The video was created by Anna Lappé, the daughter of Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet for a Small Planet, a book which I am very familiar with because it was practically my mother’s bible when I was growing up. These days, when I visit my parents with my own family, we always request that she make us Spinach-Rice Pot, found on page 261 in the 10th anniversary edition. Everyone loves it.

In the 6-minute film (which I previewed today), Anna Lappé explains why parents can’t “just say no” or “just turn off the TV” in the face of mega-corporate dollars and multi-media campaigns designed to get around parents. And she’s right: The fight is much, much more difficult than that for parents today.

To protect her daughter, Anna Lappé says, “I’m going to fight as hard as I can.”  But, “We don’t need corporations  telling our families what to eat.”

Anna Lappé’s organization is launching the video in an online event tonight at 8 p.m. You can see a teaser and join the event with your RSVP here.

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