It is becoming increasingly common in England for food additives and artificial flavorings to be banned due to their negative effects on consumer’s health.
It has led to a variety of products being taken off the shelves or being improved to comply with the new rulings.  So on my first week here in the United States I ask myself, perhaps this is where you’re going wrong?
It is no secret that internationally the United States is well known for its obesity epidemic. According to the Get Fit America Foundation, obesity is the second cause of preventable death in the U.S., and when walking through the grocery store I can see why. The amount of sugar based and fatty foods available is mind blowing.  I counted 12 different types of Oreos as well as copious amounts of Hershey chocolate bars and sweetened cereals; a child’s dream that will eventually become an adult’s heart attack.
Perhaps the U.S. Government needs to take a lesson from the British.  The new regulations have taken various children’s sweets and cereal soff the shelves due to their flavorings and additives, Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops to name a few.  When nine million youngsters aged between six and 19 are overweight, this can only have a positive effect on society’s next generation.
Some may argue that you have no issue with being overweight and should be able to eat the food you desire.  This is true.  However, obesity is not just about appearance.  Being overweight increases the risk of long term illnesses such as breast cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Trainee doctor Carrie-Anne Lee said: “People need to realize that sugar ridden and fatty foods not only alter your physical appearance but the affects are twice as bad on your organs and blood stream.  If only you could see what was going on inside.” Were those cookies really worth it?
Whilst the health of the nation is an issue in itself it does have consequences on the rest of society. Annual medical costs associated with obesity are $147 million.  This is not a medical bill any country can afford to pay.
Maybe it is time the U.S. Government stopped complaining about the perception society has of its people and do something about it.
Stop these unhealthy, fatty, sugar filled foods from being displayed on the grocery store shelves.  If not, this issue is just going to continue growing and growing and growing.