Tony the Tiger was born in1952 as the mascot for Kellogg's frosted flakes. He has been there since I was a young child. I love Tony the Tiger. I also don't eat frosted flakes. There is nothing wrong with them, I just like other things. Obviously, Tony the Tiger has not had a major impact of my eating habits. I also doubt that he has had a major impact on the eating habits of my children and grandchildren. So why in the world is the Federal Trade Commission getting ready to kill Tony the Tiger (what would PETA say?)?
On Friday, CNS News reported that the Federal Trade Commission is defending its proposals to change food and beverage marketing to children ages 2-17, which industry and legal critics say would lead to the end of iconic commercial characters such Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam and create free speech issues.
The article reports:
"The interagency report is intended to help the food industry determine which items are "appropriate and desirable to market to children to encourage a healthful diet." The group's report says that by the year 2016, "all food products within the categories most heavily marketed directly to children should meet two basic nutrition principles. Such foods should be formulated to: (A) make a meaningful contribution to a healthful diet; and (B) minimize the content of nutrients that could have a negative impact on health and weight."
"Vladeck ( David Vladeck, director of the bureau of consumer protection for the FTC) said the government is not trying to ban Toucan Sam. However, he said the interagency group would hope to see sugary children's cereals change their formula."
The Federal Government does not have the right to tell (or even encourage) a company to alter its product. Sugar frosted flakes have been in existence for almost sixty years; the obesity problem in America has not existed for sixty years; why are we placing the blame on a product, rather than a behavior? Not every obese person is obese because of their eating habits, but many are. Killing Tony the Tiger will not change those eating habits. Tony the Tiger did not cause overeating, and Tony the Tiger will not cure it. Why are we wasting government money on this nonsense?
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