Whether the presence of high fructose corn syrup in many products, including sodas, is the not-so-hidden culprit for the increasing prevalence of obesity is examined in the Sunday New York Times. The verdict: even the researchers who originally hypothesized a possible relationship have backed off as no empirical evidence has yet surfaced linking the two - despite the intriguing correlation of the introduction of the syrup with the beginning of the upward trend in obesity levels.
One quote late in the article from an industry expert reinforced the notion that the obesity epidemic is a marketing problem (and no, I don't necessarily mean advertising):
John Sicher, publisher of the trade journal Beverage Digest, says he thinks that the lower cost of soda today, versus 20 years ago, is attributable largely to the advent of bigger packaging, which lowers distribution and manufacturing costs. He cited several reasons for soda's dominant presence in the American diet: "I think that the higher consumption of soft drinks today is more about the increased prevalence of product," he said. "It's the growth of fast-food restaurants, much more availability in supermarkets, the growth of convenience stores with coolers in them and a huge build-out of new vending machines in the 1990's. I don't think it has anything to do with high-fructose corn syrup."
In short, watch the commercials while the other 3Ps [product innovations, lower prices - AKA 'better value' and wider accessibility] drive consumption behaviors. In the meanwhile, it did not take long for the beverage industry to jump into the gap left by the decision to remove some sodas from vending machines: more fruit drinks, which in some cases are "soda without the bubbles."
Technorati Tags: Distribution, Obesity Prevention, Sodas
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