Food Pyramid Expansion Nation's No. 1 Food Story in 2005
- By CWF Sources
- Published 12/22/2005
- News
The expansion of the food pyramid topped the charts as the country's No. 1 food-related news story in 2005, according to a recent survey of the nation's food editors. The famed food pyramid, which made the list at the No. 5 spot last year, climbed to the top this year as the government officially replaced its one-size-fits-all food pyramid with 12 different ones. The new Web site www.mypyramid.org, allows individuals to personalize a pyramid based on age, gender, and physical activity. Officials hope that the new pyramids will spark a renewed interested in healthy eating habits.
The survey was conducted by Hunter Public Relations, one of the nation's leading public relations agencies serving the food and beverage industry. Based in New York, Hunter Public Relations reached out to more than 1,200 food editors across the country for this survey.
Listed at No. 2 in the survey is the preemptive reform for trans fat food labeling. In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that starting January 1, 2006, the listing of trans fat content -- or trans fatty acids -- would be required on the nutrition facts portion of food labels. In a race to avoid negative labeling, food companies rushed trans fat free products to market. Recently, Girl Scout Cookies joined the myriad of other food products that have been "de-trans-fatted" by starting their annual cookie drive with healthier treats.
Securing the No. 3 spot is Hurricane Katrina's impact on the New Orleans food industry. Hurricane Katrina devastated the food industry, causing manufacturing plants to shut down and shuttering or ruining the city's nearly 3,500 restaurants. While shrimp and oysters took the biggest hit, produce and coffee also felt the fierceness of the storm. Last year's survey ranked the produce shortage from hurricanes in Florida at No. 8, but the severe damage to New Orleans by Katrina elevated this story into the top 3.
Pasta lovers rejoice! This year, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., the company that propelled low-carb eating into a national diet frenzy, filed for bankruptcy. Atkins was hurt by the decreasing popularity of its namesake diet, which focuses on eliminating carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. With interest waning in the low-carb craze, Atkins going bankrupt bellied up at No. 4 in the survey. In November, the company announced that it is transforming itself to a "nutrition food company."
Crumbling most of the competition, Cookie Monster Cutting Back claimed the No. 5 spot. Earlier this year, PBS announced that Sesame Street would kick off its 35th season with a multi-year storyboard featuring healthy habits. The beloved Cookie Monster is now advocating moderation in cookie consumption by eating fewer cookies and singing a new song, "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food."
Facing growing pressure from legislators and child-advocacy groups, food makers implemented tighter voluntary restrictions on ads aimed at children. These self-imposed restrictions on children's ads by food manufacturers came in at No. 6 in the survey. Early in 2005, Kraft Foods Inc. established such guidelines announcing that they would cease advertising certain products during cartoon shows and other broadcast and print media viewed primarily by children ages 6-11.
She's baaaaaaaack! Proving she does "fit in," the return of Martha Stewart claimed its place in the survey at No. 7. After completing her five- month prison sentence, Martha Stewart returned to star in her own syndicated daytime program, Martha, and a prime-time program, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Her presence once again graced Fortune's list of the 50 most powerful women in business.
This year, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to allow consumers to purchase wine from out-of-state wineries, ruling against states that have banned these shipments in the past. Voters toasted the decision to lift the wine border ban by ranking it No. 8 in the survey. This gives wine lovers access to a far broader range of wines and raises the bar on wine quality.
How big a deal was it that Cristeta Comerhord became the first woman and first minority to serve as executive chef for the White House? Enough to rank this accomplishment at No. 9 on the survey. After serving as an assistant chef at the White House for 10 years, Comerhord was chosen from hundreds of applicants to head the executive kitchen.
For the No. 10 spot there was a tie! Tipping the scales to round out the list as the No. 10 stories are fat cats actually getting fat and Whole Foods revolutionizing grocery shopping. Obesity, a condition that for decades has been more prevalent among lower-income earners, is now skyrocketing amid affluent Americans. A recent study revealed that obesity is growing fastest among Americans who make more than $60,000 per year. Whole Foods, which turned 25 this year, has only 171 stores nationwide (with more in planning), but according to supermarket experts, the company has pushed the limits for the industry. Whole Foods is making their mark by staking their future on an entirely different premise: shopping as entertainment.
In addition to ranking the year's top food stories, those surveyed were asked their opinions on several hot topics within the industry. Editors had vast opinions on the next big diet trend in 2006, ranging from the Raw Foods Diet to Glycemic Index. When asked to suggest one thing that Americans should do to improve their health, 30 percent of respondents cited more exercise, while 15 percent recommended implementing better portion control. Other suggestions included cutting back on fast food, preparing dishes at home, and self-education about healthy eating habits.
The survey was conducted by Hunter Public Relations, one of the nation's leading public relations agencies serving the food and beverage industry. Based in New York, Hunter Public Relations reached out to more than 1,200 food editors across the country for this survey.
Listed at No. 2 in the survey is the preemptive reform for trans fat food labeling. In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that starting January 1, 2006, the listing of trans fat content -- or trans fatty acids -- would be required on the nutrition facts portion of food labels. In a race to avoid negative labeling, food companies rushed trans fat free products to market. Recently, Girl Scout Cookies joined the myriad of other food products that have been "de-trans-fatted" by starting their annual cookie drive with healthier treats.
Securing the No. 3 spot is Hurricane Katrina's impact on the New Orleans food industry. Hurricane Katrina devastated the food industry, causing manufacturing plants to shut down and shuttering or ruining the city's nearly 3,500 restaurants. While shrimp and oysters took the biggest hit, produce and coffee also felt the fierceness of the storm. Last year's survey ranked the produce shortage from hurricanes in Florida at No. 8, but the severe damage to New Orleans by Katrina elevated this story into the top 3.
Pasta lovers rejoice! This year, Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., the company that propelled low-carb eating into a national diet frenzy, filed for bankruptcy. Atkins was hurt by the decreasing popularity of its namesake diet, which focuses on eliminating carbohydrates such as bread and pasta. With interest waning in the low-carb craze, Atkins going bankrupt bellied up at No. 4 in the survey. In November, the company announced that it is transforming itself to a "nutrition food company."
Crumbling most of the competition, Cookie Monster Cutting Back claimed the No. 5 spot. Earlier this year, PBS announced that Sesame Street would kick off its 35th season with a multi-year storyboard featuring healthy habits. The beloved Cookie Monster is now advocating moderation in cookie consumption by eating fewer cookies and singing a new song, "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food."
Facing growing pressure from legislators and child-advocacy groups, food makers implemented tighter voluntary restrictions on ads aimed at children. These self-imposed restrictions on children's ads by food manufacturers came in at No. 6 in the survey. Early in 2005, Kraft Foods Inc. established such guidelines announcing that they would cease advertising certain products during cartoon shows and other broadcast and print media viewed primarily by children ages 6-11.
She's baaaaaaaack! Proving she does "fit in," the return of Martha Stewart claimed its place in the survey at No. 7. After completing her five- month prison sentence, Martha Stewart returned to star in her own syndicated daytime program, Martha, and a prime-time program, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Her presence once again graced Fortune's list of the 50 most powerful women in business.
This year, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to allow consumers to purchase wine from out-of-state wineries, ruling against states that have banned these shipments in the past. Voters toasted the decision to lift the wine border ban by ranking it No. 8 in the survey. This gives wine lovers access to a far broader range of wines and raises the bar on wine quality.
How big a deal was it that Cristeta Comerhord became the first woman and first minority to serve as executive chef for the White House? Enough to rank this accomplishment at No. 9 on the survey. After serving as an assistant chef at the White House for 10 years, Comerhord was chosen from hundreds of applicants to head the executive kitchen.
For the No. 10 spot there was a tie! Tipping the scales to round out the list as the No. 10 stories are fat cats actually getting fat and Whole Foods revolutionizing grocery shopping. Obesity, a condition that for decades has been more prevalent among lower-income earners, is now skyrocketing amid affluent Americans. A recent study revealed that obesity is growing fastest among Americans who make more than $60,000 per year. Whole Foods, which turned 25 this year, has only 171 stores nationwide (with more in planning), but according to supermarket experts, the company has pushed the limits for the industry. Whole Foods is making their mark by staking their future on an entirely different premise: shopping as entertainment.
In addition to ranking the year's top food stories, those surveyed were asked their opinions on several hot topics within the industry. Editors had vast opinions on the next big diet trend in 2006, ranging from the Raw Foods Diet to Glycemic Index. When asked to suggest one thing that Americans should do to improve their health, 30 percent of respondents cited more exercise, while 15 percent recommended implementing better portion control. Other suggestions included cutting back on fast food, preparing dishes at home, and self-education about healthy eating habits.