Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and how to Fight Back

Michele R. Simon

Nation Books, 2006 - Business & Economics - 392 pages

Over the past two years, concerned Americans have finally begun to ask: Who is to blame for the growing public health crisis of obesity and diet-related illnesses? Is the junk food industry at fault, or is it all just a matter of personal and parental responsibility? How can we fight back with workable solutions?

While much of the attention remains focused at the national policy level, the real story is taking place in states and communities all over the country, where people are attempting to “take back” their food supply from greedy corporations. Too often media accounts of this heated debate portray the food industry as being “part of the solution,” missing the behind-the-scenes struggles.

Appetite for Profit describes food industry lobbying, front groups, and other tactics that operate to undermine nutrition policy in schools and elsewhere. It explains how to counter attack. Additionally, this book tells how to see through corporate promises; illustrates the importance of rhetoric to control the debate; informs how to respond; celebrates the unsung heroes in the fight; and provides reliable resources on how to get involved. This enlightening book provides hope with real-life examples of winning strategies and a road map for reform.

About the author

Michele Simon is a public health lawyer who has been working as a nutrition advocate since 1996, specializing in policy analysis and legal strategies.

She is the founder of the Center for Informed Food Choices and edits their newsletter, Informed Eating.

She has published numerous articles about such issues as the National School Lunch Program, organic standards, the USDA's dietary guidelines, veggie libel laws, genetically engineered foods, and banning obesity lawsuits. She lectures extensively, has appeared on numerous radio programs, and teaches Health Policy at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, where she also received her law degree. Michele obtained her master's degree in public health from Yale University.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and how to Fight Back
• Author: Michele R. Simon
• Publisher: Nation Books, 2006
• ISBN: 1560259973, 9781560259978
• Length: 392 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Corporate & Business History; Health & Fitness / Diet & Nutrition / Nutrition; Health & Fitness / Health Care Issues