McDonald’s has pulled off a huge marketing coups by signing up more than 230,000 NSW students to its maths tutoring program. Dr Rosemary Stanton, Jane Martin and Professor Elizabeth Waters weigh-in on whether the whole scheme undermines the government’s rhetoric on tackling childhood obesity.
Junk food
How McDonald’s got its ads into public schools — and the government is lovin’ it
Almost half of NSW’s secondary school students are now learning maths from a computer program created by McDonald’s, where tutoring is preceded by ads for the fast food empire. And the government has given it the thumbs up.
Still sweet for sugar in fat, slumbering Australia
Big Sugar in the United States is spending vast streams of cash to defend sugary drinks in the debate around soft drink and obesity — but at least they’re having a debate.
Bill Maher: Whatever happened to “Yes we can”?
Ten months in, and Obama can’t get the US out of Iraq or Afghanistan, fix health care, close Gitmo or cap carbon emissions. When did America get so lazy? Maybe it’s something they’re putting in the country’s high-fat, high-sugar food. Possibly the fat and sugar.
It’s time to let the government into our pantries
The obesity epidemic is costing Australia $8.3 billion a year, and the death toll continues to rise. Self-regulation has failed, says Michael Smith: it’s time to embrace the nanny state.
Food fight: Subway vs. McDonald’s
The Golden Arches may be synonymous with fast food, but soggy-sandwich chain Subway has just announced it will have more stores around the world than McDonald’s by the end of the year. So why is Maccas still out-earning them? Bigger isn’t always better.
Debunking the myth that fast food is cheaper
Much of the obesity epidemic is blamed on fast food being cheaper than home-made, but cook Sally Sampson blows this myth wide open, whipping up her own pizzas, Whoppers and Egg McMuffins for a fraction of the price — not to mention the calories.
The ultimate guide to the American hamburger
In the U-S-of-A, burgers ain’t burgers: a definitive guide to the myriad styles of burgers available throughout the States, from sliders to stacked to steamed to stuffed to slugs to… you get the idea.
A life high in sugar is driving us mad
Next year is a red letter year for our health and social security systems — and especially for the handling of Alzheimer’s disease — as the the first of the baby boomers turn 65.
NYC goes hard on soft drinks
New York City’s health department has launched a new ad campaign warning New Yorkers from “pouring on the pounds” with sugary beverages, in an effort to tackle rising obesity rates. Predictably, the American Beverage Association is not a fan.
Food porn: it’s not a filthy industry
So how do food stylists make fast food burgers look juicy and cheesy pizza not look greasy? They don’t fake as much as you might think, writes Leigh Price.
How McDonald’s “won” the recession
Before the GFC hit, McDonald’s was suffering from serious image problems, as the corporate face of the obesity crisis and unhealthy, industrialised food. But come the recession, cheap, efficient food has suddenly become a lot more appealing. But will consumers continue lovin’ it when the economy recovers?
Film review: Food Inc.
Food Inc. carves its way into the cinematic cavities of the 100% Prime Beef guilt trip genre, offering a shocking exposé about the stuff we put in our mouths. An engaging, important and entertaining documentary, says Luke Buckmaster.
Time to treat Big Food like Big Tobacco?
Just as Big Tobacco swore that smoking doesn’t cause cancer, the food industry may never admit that its calorie-laden wares are making us fat; but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be held to account: it’s time to recast the industry as “obesity dealers”, says Ellen Goodman.
North Korea opens its first fast-food outlet
Freedom fries, anyone? North Korea is now allowing its subjects to sample a Western-style hamburger — as long as they don’t call it that. Patrons at the new Samtaeseong diner can order “minced beef with bread” for only $1.70, or about half the average North Korean daily income.
The neuroscience of McDonald’s
The most pleasurable thing about eating McDonald’s isn’t the dripping cheese, salty chips or even the discount ice-cream cone: it’s the calories. Jonah Lehrer explains why we’re just hard-wired that way.
Nandos vs Oporto: the ultimate chicken deathmatch
It has nothing to do with Apple, but the geeks at MacTalk decided to settle once and for all the question of which Aussie purveyor of greasy chicken parts is best with this incredibly detailed critique. Feathers will fly.
What about Australians’ long-term health?
Food Standards Australia NZ is strong on dealing with immediate safety concerns to Australians’ health. But when it comes to junk foods labelling, a lot gets through, argues Mark Lawrence.
Extreme makeover: fast food edition
Fancy Fast Food take typically limp and greasy looking fast food, and turn it into a gourmet affair — without adding any extra ingredients. Check out how this Taco Bell burrito is transformed into tortellini, with illustrated step-by-step instructions.
McJapan and the universal language of food
Japan imports about 60% of the calories it consumes, much of them from the United States. Esperanto may be dead, writes Daniel Gross, but the language of food transcends borders.
Pizza Hut to slice their name
Pizza Hut are planning rebrand by dropping the “Pizza” from their name in some stores, to be known simply as “The Hut”, and present a more “healthful” image by introducing multigrain crusts and “all natural” tomato sauce. So what’s in their regular tomato sauce if not tomatoes? asks Consumerist.
Constant craving: why we overeat
Why are fatty, salty and sugary foods just sooo good we can’t stop eating them, even when we know we should? Dr David Kessler explains why we’re slaves to the snack.
My sugary Nestle question: what is fruit?
Nestle have taken exception to me suggesting that they are telling lies by emblazoning their Fruit Fix bar with “1 Serve of Fruit” and advertising the product as a healthy and nutritious snack, says David Gillespie.
Ad agencies give goverment obesity report the thumbs up
An ad hoc group of advertising, marketing and media agencies has given its support for a new government report on obesity — a report which notably doesn’t call for any ban on junk food advertising.
Tips and rumours: Which NSW minister is having an affair with a stripper?
Who is the lucky lady? And who is the latest senior Rudd staffer to resign? Tipsters tell all.
