Money for Them, Disease for You

http://time.com/4130043/lobbying-politics-dietary-guidelines/

In "Experts Say Lobbying Skewed the U.S. Dietary Guidelines", an online article by Markham Heid in Time, the 2015 Dietary Guidelines implemented by the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and HHS (Health and Human services) are analyzed by a number of people in politics and science. The controversy surrounding the new guidelines has to do with the fact that they do not state strict recommendations on unresolved issues or call out the harmful aspects of certain foods. Although the state of red meat and dairy consumption is left untouched, there is a silver lining in their warnings against added sugar and less consumption of refined wheat. Still, many point to the manipulation and control of food corporations in the political field and continued use of old, incorrect research by "experts" as the main culprits. The great impact and significance that these guidelines have on the health of the nation, such as the doubled number of Americans with obesity and type-2 diabetes, and on the financials of profit-driven food industries has resulted in a perpetual fight over what science, politics, and information to give to the general public.

This is a wonderful source of information for those who are confused on how the food guidelines are created and their (lack of) accuracy. It also provides a snippet of history with many differing perspectives and suggestions.

My research question relates more to the politics of "Politics and Food", and it is both interesting and headache-inducing reading how (negatively) integrated industries are with the government. It is especially upsetting knowing that millions of Americans are being tricked into thinking they are eating healthy when they are doing the exact opposite. It is the government's job to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. There should absolutely be no intermingling with food industries, particularly if they are trying to buy ("donate" to) politicians and get further deregulation and promotion of their products.

The food industries and U.S. government do not treat American citizens as people, but as profitable prey who are to be exploited at their expense.

Patricia Cuarenta