Introduction
In "Feeding You Lies," nutrition expert and healthy eating advocate Vani Hari takes readers on a journey through the murky world of the American food industry. The book serves as a wake-up call, revealing how big food corporations manipulate public opinion, scientific research, and even government policy to keep selling products that are making Americans sick.
Hari's investigation comes at a crucial time. Despite being one of the world's most affluent societies, the United States ranks last in health outcomes compared to 16 other developed nations. Even more alarming is the fact that it spends two and a half times more on healthcare than its peers. So what's going wrong?
The author points her finger squarely at Big Food - the conglomerate of huge, multinational corporations like Nestlé and Monsanto that grow, produce, and market the food Americans eat every day. These companies, Hari argues, are filling our plates with products packed with toxic additives, excessive sugar, and untested chemicals, all while claiming to have our best interests at heart.
The Soda Epidemic
One of the most significant contributors to America's health crisis is soda. Hari reveals some shocking statistics: around two-thirds of American children consume at least one soda a day, while a third drink two or more. This habit comes with severe health consequences. A 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that drinking just one can of soda per day increased the risk of heart attack by 20 percent. The Center for Disease Control links heavy soda consumption with Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and asthma.
Despite this overwhelming evidence, the American Beverage Association (ABA) - the trade group representing soda manufacturers - refuses to acknowledge the health risks associated with their products. Instead, they shift the focus to exercise, promoting the idea that physical activity alone can counteract the effects of sugary drinks. This strategy is exemplified by Coca-Cola's introduction of a calorie-counting app called "Work It Out," designed to promote their low-calorie ranges like Diet Coke and Coke Zero.
However, Hari points out that these "diet" alternatives are just as dangerous and fattening as regular sodas. The marketing of these products as healthier options is just one of the many ways Big Food misleads consumers.
The soda industry's influence extends far beyond marketing. Hari reveals that since 2009, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and the ABA have spent a staggering $67 million on lobbying efforts to prevent both the introduction of a sugar tax and health warnings on their products. Even more concerning is the fact that government agencies, such as the Departments of Health and Human Services, have taken advice from the ABA when issuing dietary guidelines.
The Manipulation of Scientific Research
Hari dedicates a significant portion of the book to exposing how Big Food manipulates scientific research to support its claims and protect its profits. She cites a 2007 article by Doctor Lenard Lesser in the journal PLOS Medicine, which found that research funded by large food corporations was four to eight times more likely to be favorable to claims made by Big Food than independently-funded research.
One particularly egregious example involves Frederick Stare, the chairman of Harvard University's Department of Nutrition in the 1950s. Stare spent years arguing that there was no scientific link between sugar consumption and heart disease or diabetes. Between 1952 and 1956, 30 papers disputing these links were published at Harvard with Stare's approval. However, a 2012 article in Mother Jones revealed that Stare had been taking payments from Coca-Cola and Kellogg's throughout his career. General Foods, the producer of Kool-Aid and Jell-O, had even paid for a new building for his department.
Another shocking revelation comes from a 1967 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The paper concluded that replacing fat with carbohydrates (i.e., sugar) was the best diet for a healthy heart. Decades later, it was revealed that the three Harvard-based authors had been paid the equivalent of $50,000 by a sugar industry trade association. This influential paper was the beginning of a lie that many still believe today, demonstrating how Big Food shapes public perception to suit its own needs.
The Truth About Organic Food
As consumers become more health-conscious, organic food has been gaining popularity. Currently, about 5 percent of food sold in the United States is organic, and this number is steadily increasing. Hari explains why this trend is causing concern among conventional food producers: organic food represents a direct challenge to the toxic products they've been selling for decades.
But is organic food really healthier? Hari cites several studies that suggest it is. A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that organic tomatoes contain more vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids than conventional tomatoes. Organic meat and dairy have been shown to contain around 50 percent more omega-3 fatty acids than non-organic products.
Moreover, a 2017 research project funded by the European Parliament suggests that organic food isn't just more nutritious, but safer. Non-organic foodstuffs often contain traces of potentially toxic pesticides linked to ADHD, lower IQ in children exposed in utero, as well as some forms of cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and various allergies.
The stark difference in pesticide use between organic and non-organic farms is eye-opening. Organic farms in the United States are only permitted to use around 25 pesticides, each of which must be approved by the United States Department of Agriculture before it can be certified as organic. Non-organic farms, on the other hand, regularly use 900 or more synthetic pesticides.
Given these facts, it's no surprise that corporations relying on pesticide sales are keen to plant seeds of doubt in consumers' minds about organic food. Hari uses Monsanto as an example. This chemical giant makes billions of dollars selling products like Roundup, a weed killer used to grow staple crops like corn and soy. The principal ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate - a chemical originally used to dissolve mineral buildup in pipes. Scientists have linked glyphosate to an increased risk of celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.
To prevent this kind of information from reaching consumers, trade associations create front groups made up of farmers, nutritionists, and scientists to wage propaganda campaigns against unflattering evidence. These groups often wield significant influence. For instance, CropLife, a group representing Monsanto, managed to convince the Environmental Protection Agency to classify glyphosate as safe, even though the World Health Organization classifies it as a probable carcinogen.
The Problem with Food Labeling
One of the most frustrating aspects of trying to eat healthily, Hari argues, is deciphering food labels. She likens it to trying to read a language you don't fully understand - you might catch the odd word here and there, but it's mostly incomprehensible. This confusion isn't accidental; the jargon on food labels often hides the fact that many products are packed with harmful ingredients.
Hari points out that the organization tasked with preventing this - the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - is largely ineffective. Despite the FDA's existence, the American food industry is still largely self-regulated. The FDA doesn't actually get a say in whether additives are safe for consumption; food companies decide that themselves. If a company's experts designate a substance as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS), the FDA typically follows their lead and adds its seal of approval.
The consequences of this system are staggering. When the FDA was founded in 1958, food sold in the nation's supermarkets and stores contained around 800 additives. Today, that number has ballooned to more than 10,000. According to the National Resources Defense Council, there are 1,000 unexamined chemicals in the food Americans eat every day.
Hari provides several examples of how food labeling can be misleading:
Starbucks' "lightly sweet" Chai Tea Latte contains 31 grams of sugar in a 473-milliliter serving - equivalent to 9 Oreo cookies. According to American law, any product containing up to 100 grams of sugar can be described as "lightly sweetened."
The term "natural" doesn't mean a product is free of artificial additives. It only indicates that the product is originally derived from a plant or animal. "Natural Apple Flavor," for example, could contain 100 or more different chemicals.
Castoreum, a substance used to give foods an artificial vanilla flavor, is actually secreted near a beaver's anal gland. This origin is rarely, if ever, disclosed on food labels.
The Myth of Nutrient Fortification
Hari dedicates a chapter to debunking the myth that adding nutrients to unhealthy foods makes them healthier. This practice, known as fortification, began in the United States in 1924 when producers started adding iodine to salt to address a nationwide deficiency. Today, however, fortification is often more about marketing than public health.
Claims like "free from ingredient X" are frequently given prominence on food packaging, but they're rarely more than sleight of hand. In practice, leaving out actively harmful ingredients doesn't necessarily make a product any healthier. Hari uses the diet industry as a prime example of this deception.
Many diet foods are marketed as "low-calorie" or "fat-free," but can be just as unhealthy as their full-calorie counterparts and may even lead to additional weight gain. This is because many diet foods contain low- or zero-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame, which has been shown to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome - one of the causes of diabetes and strokes - by 34 percent. Other low- or zero-calorie foods are packed with artificial refined sugars like corn syrup, which contain cellulose, an indigestible substance linked with digestive issues and weight gain.
Hari explains how this creates a vicious cycle for dieters. In an attempt to lose weight, they're drawn to "diet foods" that actually increase their weight, which in turn drives them to buy and consume these products in even larger amounts. The end result is not only a failure to lose weight but also damage to their overall health.
Another tactic Big Food uses is advertising the addition of "fortifying" vitamins and minerals to hide how unhealthy their products are. Breakfast cereals, especially those aimed at children like Lucky Charms or Cocoa Puffs, often make bold claims about their contributions to daily recommended doses of vitamins and minerals. While this may persuade parents to buy these cereals, the benefits of these added nutrients don't outweigh the harm done by the sugar and additives they contain.
This marketing strategy isn't limited to children's products. Hari uses Vitaminwater as an example. Despite its healthy-sounding name, this product contains 32 grams of sugar. Moreover, naturally-occurring vitamins can be absorbed twice as quickly as synthetic ones, meaning that all that sugar doesn't even serve its advertised purpose.
The Power of Big Food
Throughout the book, Hari emphasizes the immense power wielded by Big Food corporations. This power extends far beyond simply producing and selling food products. These companies have the resources and influence to shape public opinion, fund biased research, and even influence government policy.
One of the most alarming aspects of this power is the revolving door between Big Food and government regulatory agencies. Hari provides examples of individuals who have moved between positions in food companies and roles in agencies like the FDA or USDA. This blurred line between industry and regulation creates conflicts of interest and makes it difficult for these agencies to effectively protect public health.
Big Food's influence is also felt in the halls of Congress. Through lobbying efforts and campaign contributions, these corporations can sway legislation in their favor. This influence has resulted in policies that prioritize industry profits over public health, such as farm subsidies that make unhealthy processed foods cheaper than fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Path Forward
Despite the grim picture she paints, Hari doesn't leave readers without hope. She offers practical advice for navigating the complex world of food choices and making healthier decisions. Some of her recommendations include:
- Read labels carefully and be skeptical of health claims on packaging.
- Choose whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible.
- Buy organic when you can, especially for foods known to have high pesticide residues.
- Cook more meals at home using fresh ingredients.
- Reduce consumption of sugary drinks, including soda and "diet" alternatives.
- Support local farmers and food producers when possible.
- Stay informed about food policy issues and advocate for change.
Hari also encourages readers to be vocal consumers. By demanding transparency from food companies and supporting those that prioritize health and sustainability, consumers can drive change in the industry.
Conclusion
"Feeding You Lies" serves as both a wake-up call and a call to action. Vani Hari exposes the deceptive practices of the food industry, from manipulating scientific research to misleading marketing tactics. She reveals how these practices have contributed to the declining health of Americans, despite living in one of the world's most affluent societies.
The book challenges readers to question what they think they know about the food they eat every day. It encourages a more critical approach to food choices, urging consumers to look beyond the claims on packaging and dig deeper into what's really in their food.
Ultimately, Hari's message is one of empowerment. By arming readers with knowledge about the tactics of Big Food, she hopes to inspire them to make more informed choices about what they eat. She argues that through individual actions and collective demand for change, it's possible to create a food system that truly prioritizes health over profits.
"Feeding You Lies" is not just about exposing the problems in our food system - it's about reclaiming our health and our right to know what's in our food. It's a crucial read for anyone concerned about their health, the health of their families, and the overall wellbeing of society.
As Hari demonstrates throughout the book, the path to better health isn't through fad diets or "miracle" products. Instead, it's about understanding what's really in our food, making informed choices, and demanding better from the companies that produce what we eat. By doing so, we can work towards a future where our food nourishes us rather than making us sick.