$2 Billion for Easter Candy Alone - We have an explosion of obesity and cancer in this country, and the food industry has been forewarned--just like the tobacco industry the sugar industry will soon be the target of class action lawsuits.

With the ever-increasing rates of obesity in the United States, food companies are being warned that tempting consumers to gorge on unhealthy foods could lead to lawsuits, increased regulation and financial consequences.

Several obesity studies have already pointed the finger at snacks and soft drinks as the main fuel behind the growing obesity epidemic.

The warning comes just as the United States sold close to $2 billion worth of Easter candy.

Investment bank JP Morgan issued the warning, saying that food companies’ share prices could be at risk, especially from potential litigation similar to what has faced McDonald’s.

Confectionery and soft drink manufacturers could be most at risk. Recently, the theory that an excessive intake of carbohydrates, particularly in the form of white sugar and flour, is a major factor in obesity has begun to gain acceptance. The theory was introduced to the mainstream through diets such as the Atkins Diet.

In the United States, where close to 28 percent of men and 34 percent of women are obese, it is estimated that the condition cost $117 billion in 2000, an amount that is closing in on the $140 billion costs associated with smoking.

Industry groups such as the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the National Restaurant Association say that food manufacturers are not to blame for the obesity epidemic, to which they say a number of factors contribute.

According to analysts, increased regulations could take the form of anything from restrictions on advertising to stricter labeling requirements. There could even be restrictions or bans on distribution to certain areas, such as schools, hospitals and government offices.

Financial Times April 18, 2003

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

America spending $2 billion on candy for Easter is some serious--and seriously misguided--change. I understand that parents do this at Easter and other holidays to put a smile on their children's faces, and what could be more heartwarming than a child's smile? However, in the longer run, it can definitely lay the foundation for some very bad health habits that will affect the children's ability to fight and prevent illness, manage their weight and live longer as adults. Obviously a head of romaine lettuce is not going to put a smile on most children's faces the way a gooey chocolate Easter bunny can, but why not give them a game, book or toy instead? Same smile, better results. If you're a parent, I'd strongly urge you to educate yourself on just why sugars and grains are the number one culprit when it comes to chronic disease, illness and weight issues--both for yourself and your children. You can get some essential information immediately by checking out my "Reduce Grains and Sugars to Improve Health" article and the nutrition plan here on the site, and you can get all the detail as well as an entire (and sensible, meaning not impossible to stick to) eating plan in my book, The No-Grain Diet, which is now 30% off at Amazon.com. As a parent, I'm sure you'd be enraged if you suddently started seeing cigarette ads during your children's Saturday morning TV shows. And yet, this unrestrained sugar promotion is even worse than advertising cigarettes as sugar is even more far harmful in the short-run as well as over time. The writing is on the wall. The sugar industry will be thwarted from advertising their dangerous products to children as more and more parents and other adults come to understand those dangers through resources like this free newsletter. Related Articles: Finally, Proof for My Assertion That Sugar is More Dangerous Than Cigarettes