Wonderful
"If the package does its work, then the food inside doesn't actually have to be organic, only organic-ish. The right cues on a package free mass-market consumers from doing any homework, said Elizabeth Talerman, a branding analyst."............................Consumers need to make themselves aware of this. They need to know that these products are trying to appeal their eco-conscious emotions. They need to do their research! Do you know about the company? That cute family farm story on the back is idyllic, but do you know what corporation bought it out? That cow sure does look ecstatic, but what was the life like of the cow that produced that milk in your hand? Do you understand the ingredients on the label? Are they ones you want in your body? I have repeatedly said that ingredients that are incredibly harmful for our bodies like MSG and fluoride are considered "natural". Natural has no regulations. Know what you will put up with in a product and company.
We still have power as consumers
posted by Bill at
10:09 AM
2 Comments:
A point of clarification here as I believe my quote about food not having to be organic - just organic-ish has been taken out of context.
The mass market is relying on the visual, and currently exaggerated cues on packaging. They are trusting that companies like Whole Foods and other natural food retailers are monitoring what is sold in their stores. This is a dangerous naivety.
I believe it will take some time before consumers wake up to the fact that it is their responsibility to turn any product around and read "the back of the pack" to assess the contents, ingredients, nutritional value, point of origin and carbon footprint of the things they are consuming.
With consumers paying closer attention, and with help from the blogosphere and media to expose companies who are intentionally misleading people, the tide will begin to turn.
Elizabeth Talerman
By
elizabeth, at 04 March, 2007
Hi Elizabeth,
I am sorry you think that I took your quote out of context. It is great to hear from the woman who actually said it, though. (And thanks to this site for posting part of my response to the article and linking to my blog). Just to let you know in my full blog, I did link to the full New York Times article that your quote appeared in, so that people could read it and judge for themselves. I just wanted to make sure you clicked the link to my blog that this blogger provided.
I completely agree with what you said in your clarification, however. Thanks! That is what I was attempting to explain as my reaction to the article, but perhaps no one can better explain the article than the woman quoted in it. If you do read my full blog, I was trying to say how much I enjoyed reading the New York Times article and that your quote was my favorite part of the article. I do believe consumers need to wake and realize they can not trust a company like whole food to monitor what is in their stores, as you said. Good to hear from you!
By
Anonymous, at 06 March, 2007
Post a Comment
<< Home