An informed consumer is the food industries biggest threat
Below are 5 times in the last 10 years where the food industry used their money and power to prevent bills that were intented to help improve the health of citizens.
1. California’s Soda Tax Preemption (2018)
The Bill: Local measures (e.g., Berkeley’s 2014 soda tax) reduced sugary drink consumption by 52%.
Industry Tactic: Beverage lobby spent $7+ million to pass Prop 68, banning new local soda taxes for 12 years.
Outcome: Stopped 20+ cities from enacting similar taxes.
2. U.S. GMO Labeling Sabotage (2016)
The Bill: Vermont passed strict GMO labeling law (Act 120).
Industry Tactic: Monsanto/Kraft funded a federal "DARK Act" (Deny Americans the Right to Know), overriding state laws with loopholes:
Allowed QR codes (not clear labels).
Exempted highly processed ingredients (e.g., soybean oil).
Outcome: Trump signed it, gutting transparent labeling.
3. Mexico’s Junk Food Warning Labels (2020)
The Bill: Mandated black octagon labels on unhealthy foods (inspired by Chile).
Industry Tactic: PepsiCo/Nestlé sued, claiming trade violations (USMCA). Lobbied for tiny "traffic light" labels instead.
Outcome: Implemented—but after 2 years of delays.
4. EU Health Claims Regulation (2007)
The Bill: Required scientific proof for food health claims (e.g., "boosts immunity").
Industry Tactic: Companies submitted 11,000+ bogus claims (e.g., "water prevents dehydration"), overwhelming regulators.
Outcome: 90% of claims rejected—but only after $400M in wasted public funds.
5. California’s Food Dye Ban (2023)
The Bill: Ban Red 40/Yellow 5 in school foods.
Industry Tactic:
National Confectioners Association spent $500K on ads claiming, "They’re coming for your candy!"
Watered down to school foods only (exempting stores).
Outcome: Passed—but delayed to 2027 and narrowed in scope.
Here are some examples of government attempting to curb the obesity and ADHD epidemic over 30 years ago, and the food industry getting in their way:
1. The Sugar Industry vs. Dental Health (1980s)
The Threat: WHO proposed limiting sugar to 10% of calories to curb tooth decay.
Industry Tactic:
The Sugar Association (U.S.) lobbied the U.S. government to cut WHO funding by $50M unless it abandoned sugar guidelines.
Funded studies blaming cavities on "poor brushing," not sugar.
Outcome: WHO’s sugar report was suppressed until 1989—delaying global dental policies by a decade.
The Threat: WHO proposed limiting sugar to 10% of calories to curb tooth decay.
Industry Tactic:
The Sugar Association (U.S.) lobbied the U.S. government to cut WHO funding by $50M unless it abandoned sugar guidelines.
Funded studies blaming cavities on "poor brushing," not sugar.
Outcome: WHO’s sugar report was suppressed until 1989—delaying global dental policies by a decade.
2. Trans Fat "Safe" Labeling (1990s)
The Threat: Studies linked trans fats (in margarine, fried foods) to heart disease.
Industry Tactic:
National Association of Margarine Manufacturers paid scientists to downplay risks.
Pushed the FDA to allow "0g trans fat" labels if servings contained <0.5g—a loophole letting foods hide harmful amounts.
Outcome: Trans fats remained unregulated until 2006, causing an estimated 50,000+ preventable U.S. deaths/year.
The Threat: Studies linked trans fats (in margarine, fried foods) to heart disease.
Industry Tactic:
National Association of Margarine Manufacturers paid scientists to downplay risks.
Pushed the FDA to allow "0g trans fat" labels if servings contained <0.5g—a loophole letting foods hide harmful amounts.
Outcome: Trans fats remained unregulated until 2006, causing an estimated 50,000+ preventable U.S. deaths/year.
3. Salt Lobby vs. Hypertension Guidelines (1980s)
The Threat: The NIH recommended slashing sodium intake to combat high blood pressure.
Industry Tactic:
The Salt Institute (backed by Kraft, P&G) funded studies claiming "low salt risks" (e.g., iodine deficiency).
Ghostwrote op-eds in medical journals accusing regulators of "overreach."
Outcome: U.S. sodium reduction targets were watered down in 1990, delaying meaningful action until the 2010s.
The Threat: The NIH recommended slashing sodium intake to combat high blood pressure.
Industry Tactic:
The Salt Institute (backed by Kraft, P&G) funded studies claiming "low salt risks" (e.g., iodine deficiency).
Ghostwrote op-eds in medical journals accusing regulators of "overreach."
Outcome: U.S. sodium reduction targets were watered down in 1990, delaying meaningful action until the 2010s.
4. Pesticide Lobby vs. Alar Apple Ban (1989)
The Threat: The natural pesticide Alar (used on apples) was found to cause cancer in children.
Industry Tactic:
Monsanto (Alar’s manufacturer) paid "experts" to attack the EPA’s science, including a 60 Minutes segment.
Launched the "Mothers for Alar" front group (actually PR firm operatives) to protest bans.
Outcome: Alar remained legal for 3 more years—exposing millions of kids before a 1992 voluntary phaseout.
The Threat: The natural pesticide Alar (used on apples) was found to cause cancer in children.
Industry Tactic:
Monsanto (Alar’s manufacturer) paid "experts" to attack the EPA’s science, including a 60 Minutes segment.
Launched the "Mothers for Alar" front group (actually PR firm operatives) to protest bans.
Outcome: Alar remained legal for 3 more years—exposing millions of kids before a 1992 voluntary phaseout.
The Lesson for Canada
History shows: Industry never surrenders—it adapts.
In the 1990s, they hijacked science and invented loopholes.
Today, they’re exploiting Canada’s regulatory gaps to dump U.S.-banned dyes.
Don’t repeat the past. Demand:
Mandatory warning labels (like the EU’s "may harm attention in children").
Close import loopholes for products banned/restricted abroad.
Ban industry-funded research from Health Canada reviews.
As it stands, Health Canada allows industry-funded scientific studies to base their regulations on, and more than 70% of the food dye research is industry funded.
History shows: Industry never surrenders—it adapts.
In the 1990s, they hijacked science and invented loopholes.
Today, they’re exploiting Canada’s regulatory gaps to dump U.S.-banned dyes.
Don’t repeat the past. Demand:
Mandatory warning labels (like the EU’s "may harm attention in children").
Close import loopholes for products banned/restricted abroad.
Ban industry-funded research from Health Canada reviews.
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