Food Safety

Dying for a Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger

by Diane Farsetta — May 27, 2004 - 10:00pm

Saying "he was seduced 'with a bacon-wrapped cheeseburger'," Florida millionaire Jody Gorran filed a lawsuit against Atkins Nutritionals and the estate of the late Dr. Atkins. Gorran required surgery to open a 99 percent blocked coronary artery after following the high-fat, high-protein Atkins diet for two years.

Main Source: 
Independent (UK), May 28, 2004

First, Do No Harm

by Diane Farsetta — May 24, 2004 - 10:00pm

"As food companies look for ways to cash in on the nation's obsession with healthy eating, an increasing number are copying marketing tactics that long have been used by the pharmaceuticals industry: They are pitching their products directly to doctors. The hope is that doctors will start recommending specific foods - and even brand names - to patients," reports the Wall Street Journal.

Main Source: 
The Wall Street Journal, May 25, 2004

Would You Like Fries With That?

by Sheldon Rampton — May 10, 2004 - 10:00pm

Low-carb diets, the demise of the McDonald's Supersize menu, and even mad cow disease have hurt the market for potatoes, so spud growers are fighting back. "The National Potato Promotion Board (NPPB) recently launched a $4.5 million campaign that mixes print advertising, public relations and partnerships with weight-loss groups to educate consumers about the healthy benefits of potatoes," reports the Associated Press. According to NPPB president Tim O'Connor, "There's nothing anyone can do about McDonald's deciding to eliminate its Supersize. ...

Main Source: 
Associated Press, May 11, 2004

Counter-Attack of the Killer Clowns

by Diane Farsetta — May 9, 2004 - 10:00pm

As the anti-fast food documentary "Super Size Me" hits theaters, McDonald's is fighting back. "We're responding aggressively because the film is a gross misrepresentation," said a company spokesperson. Helping defend McDonald's are "global nutritionist" Cathy Kapica and the corporate-funded American Council on Science and Health.

Main Source: 
PR Week, May 10, 2004

No, Supersize Me!

by Diane Farsetta — April 15, 2004 - 10:00pm

As McDonald's unveiled its latest marketing ploy - healthier menu options, including "Go Active!" Adult Happy Meals - one free enterprise and "personal freedom" activist is trying to prove that the fast food giant's current menu isn't so bad.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, April 16, 2004

Torte Reform

by Diane Farsetta — March 3, 2004 - 11:00pm

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on a "cheeseburger bill." The bill -- the Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act (HR 339) -- would bar lawsuits against fast-food outlets accused of causing obesity.

Main Source: 
The Hill, March 4, 2004

US Obesity Expands PR Budgets

by Laura Miller — January 21, 2004 - 11:00pm

"The United States spent $75.1 billion last year on medical expenses, such as drugs, doctor visits and hospitalizations, related to obesity, according to a study published this month in the journal Obesity Research," the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The study, financed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that taxpayers paid half of the bill through Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Main Source: 
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 22, 2004

PR Expert Blasts Beef Industry Over Mad Cow

by John Stauber — January 5, 2004 - 11:00pm

Paul Holmes, long time journalist covering the PR industry for his own trade press publications, blasts the arrogance and stupidity of the US beef industry and its protectors in the government, over the emergence of mad cow disease in the US. Holmes writest that "more than a decade has passed since an epidemic of bovine spongiform
encephalopathy, better known as mad cow disease, ravaged British beef
and dairy herds, so it's fair to say American cattlemen have had
every opportunity to study that outbreak and learn from it.

Main Source: 
Holmes Report, January 6, 2004

GM Watch Exposes 'The Biotech Brigade'

by John Stauber — December 18, 2003 - 9:10pm

A new global directory on the massive and deceptive PR push behind genetically engineered food is now available free online from the British organization GM Watch. The directory examines many of the key PR operators, front groups, corporate-friendly
scientists, lobbyists, media scams and and political networks that are active in this field. The directory provides extensive information on professional media manipulators, many of whom are active over a wide range of environmental, agricultural and trade issues.

Main Source: 
GM Watch

Crisis PR for Chi-Chi's

by Sheldon Rampton — November 11, 2003 - 11:00pm

Mexican restaurant chain Chi-Chi's has brought in CCG Strategic Communications to deal with PR crisis due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A linked to the restaurant, which has sickened 500 people and killed three in Pennsylvania.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, November 12, 2003
Syndicate content