The UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity is one of our favorite health-focused organizations. They understand the big picture and connect the public health dots… and are not afraid to call out the food industry when necessary.
Case in point, their latest study on “look-alike” Smart Snacks in schools.
The study was “an online experiment with 659 students (13-17 year) and 859 parents (children ages 10-13) in which participants randomly viewed information about snacks sold at a hypothetical school, including look-alike Smart Snacks; existing store versions of the same brands; repackaged Smart Snacks (highlighting differences versus unhealthy versions); or consistent brands (i.e.: Smart Snack versions also sold in stores). They then rated the individual snacks offered and the school selling them.”
Highlights from the study’s fact sheet:
- “In 2013, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) established nutrition standards for snack foods sold in schools to encourage the sale of healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts, and yogurt. In response, food companies reformulated popular brands of chips and sweet snacks to meet Smart Snacks standards.”
- “While many of the reformulated products are only sold in schools, they are often packaged to look similar to the widely available less-nutritious versions. Selling these ‘copycat’ or ‘look-alike’ versions of junk food — such as Cheetos, Pop-Tarts, and Fruit Roll-Ups — in schools confuse students and raise concerns about schools selling them.”
- “Students believed that look-alike Smart Snacks and the less-nutritious version of the brands sold in stores were similar in healthfulness and expected them to taste the same.”
- “This practice likely benefits the brands, but may not improve children’s overall diet and undermines schools’ ability to teach good nutrition. At a minimum, marketing of look-alike Smart Snacks should not be allowed in schools.”