CHICAGO — Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT), the biggest maker of processed foods, Tuesday said it would cap portion sizes, eliminate marketing in schools and reformulate some products as the food industry faces increasing legal blame for obesity and unhealthy eating trends.
My first thought after reading this news was – Kraft is going to screw us by offering less food for the same price!
Thoughts? Is their move going to make a difference?
How do we know that they’re going to sell it for the same price? I mean, companies do it all the time, but they usually don’t accompany it with a major press release. I think folks would notice this time, given all the fanfare this is getting.
As for difference, I doubt it. There are lots less healthy foods than mac and cheese that will continue to be served with needlessly large portions. And we’re probably gonna continue on this path 'til morbidly obese is the norm, except for the sex symbols (though it would be amusing if they DID follow suit)…
Feh-- Kraft will have to discontinue all of their dreck and offer free high colonics and transfusions of Senegalese virgin’s blood before the begin to make a dent in the harm they’ve done to North American health and sensibilities.
How much “Cheez Whiz” is just the right amount? I mean, for* human consumption?*
Wondering the same thing myself…does it really help if you’re offering up 4 ounces of pure fat instead of 6 ounces?
I have to believe the announcement from Kraft was purely a PR effort, in response to recent (and historical) obesity studies, not to mention the legal actions some consumers are attempting against fat-food producers. (??)
If they really wanted to make a difference, they would stop production of their unhealthy foods…which would leave the company with, um, zero profits.
Horreurs!
How do we know that they’re not keeping the same box size and just making the portion size smaller on the Nutrition Facts panel?
A report on MSNBC tonight wagered that Kraft and other companies who consider this are probably covering their butts after the attempts to sue fast food companies. If they really do reformulate their products to include less sugar, salt, and fat - like the report discussed - that’s a start at least for families who go for convenience foods.
LOL! Sorry, this is hilarious.
Note to Kraft: Go ahead and make the recommended portion size anything you want - we’re still going to eat the whole box in one sitting.
Right out of the pan.
With the wooden spoon.
Thank you, MotorGirl. I was just gonna say that. Portions, my ass. I think the box is supposed to feed 4-6. It feeds 1-2 at my house, if the cat doesn’t mooch any off me!
[whinge] i want kraft mac n cheese!!! 
[/whinge]
My wager is on smaller portions for the same price. Companies do this all the time. And usually act as if they are doing you a favor in the process. In fact, if the box says “New and Improved”, it’s time to read the label carefully to figure out how you’re getting screwed * this [/time].
And the Government isn’t helping matters by trying to scare us by continuing to lower the scales for weight, blood pressure, et al. By the Government’s standards, Tom Cruise is overweight. It’s only a matter of time before Kate Moss is, too; Tom would probably be considered obese by then.
I don’t understand why Kraft doesn’t just make a Fat-Free, or even a Lite version of their famous Mac-N-Cheese.
I mean, we all know that serving sizes don’t mean shit. A serving size is a whole box to me.
Yeah! I looked at the label on a package of potato chips the other day. It said only one calorie per serving.
Then again, it also said the bag contained 2,000 servings!
[soapbox]As a fat woman, and believe me I do mean FAT, I would like to go on the record and say that Kraft Foods is in no way responsible for me having a big fat a$$. I have not, and will not, ever blame a FOOD company for my girth. It amazes me that no one wants to be held responsible for their own actions - I ate the Snickers bar, therefore it’s the chocolate company’s fault that I’m fat. No, it’s my being lazy that’s at fault. I should have walked 2 miles and worked it off, rather than sitting down and getting on the computer or going and watching TV. [/soapbox]
And don’t get me started on the whole “fatty foods are addictive” thing. I’d have to go to the Pit.
Sorry for the interruption. Carry on.
So…now it’s only going to be “Reasonably Cheesy” as opposed to “The Cheesiest”?
Certainly won’t be “Dangerously Cheesy” 'cause that’s already taken.
Look, let’s make one thing perfectly clear, all Kraft products are cheesey, even their marshmallows!
Don’t be silly. They’re not going to sell a smaller box for the same price.
They’re going to sell a smaller box at a higher price, with the word “Healthy” somewhere on the new box.
Since when is cheese unhealthy? I’d like to see some data on that. I was under the impression that cheese is VERY healthy for you. Just don’t eat it with bread. Bread is the real killer.
F*ck Kraft, not because of the food, which is actually good, but because of the way they treat their employees.
*I have my reasons.