A consortium of some 40 processed food manufacturers led by Sara Lee, Coca-Cola, Kraft, General Mills, Mars and PepsiCo and organizations like the Grocery Manufacturers Association and American Dietetic Association Foundation have joined forces to launch the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF), a group whose primary goal is to reduce obesity levels, particularly among young children.
Pledging to be "aggressive" and as "proactive and visible as possible," members of the HWCF have committed $20 million to a three-pronged attack on obesity in schools, the marketplace and workplace.
Are you impressed by the collective efforts of the food industry and various public interest groups to curb the epidemic of obesity or just a bit skeptical, considering the recent announcement of the Smart Choices Program?
Fortunately, according to the Los Angeles Times, one non-profit group -- the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation -- will spend part of its $500 million budget devoted to fighting childhood obesity by being an independent watchdog of various HWCF's marketplace programs.
Los Angeles Times October 5, 2009
NutraIngredients-USA.com October 5, 2009
Supermarket News October 6, 2009