How Big Food Creates an Illusion of Choice at the Supermarket

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/food/how-big-food-creates-illusion-choice-supermarket



A new analysis shows that the top four or fewer food companies control a substantial majority of the sales of each item, and they often offer multiple brands in each type of grocery, giving consumers the false impression they are choosing among competing products.

The in-depth analysis, released by Food & Water Watch on Thursday, illustrates the consolidation of the grocery industry and the range of impacts it has on the food chain.

Grocery Goliaths: How Food Monopolies Impact Consumers examines 100 types of grocery products and found that as food companies and supermarket chains have consolidated over the last few years, the illusion of choice among brands has coincided with increasingly expensive grocery bills.

“You might think you’re a savvy shopper, supporting independent businesses when you buy a product from the organic foods aisle of your grocery store, but chances are you’re really being duped by a small handful of grocery industry Goliaths hiding behind an array of brands and pretty packaging,” said Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food & Water Watch .“The largest mega-retailers and manufacturers control more of what we eat than you thought. And they’re not only costing shoppers, but farmers and small food companies too.”

[chervilant]

1. On top of the expense of these foods,

consider that we are hard pressed to find pre-packaged foods that aren't filled with high fructose corn syrup and/or hydrogenated oils. Hydrogenated oils shouldn't be an ingredient in ANY foods. And, the jury's still out on HFCS.

Since I won't eat either item -- nor anything with artificial colors or flavors -- the vast majority of foods in grocery stores are never in my pantry.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Hey. Neat. Just like our political system. n/t

[xchrom]

3. !

[reformist2]

4. The middle aisles of our grocery stores may as well be organized by corporation name.

General Mills, Kelloggs (cereal)

Hershey, M&M Mars (candy aisle)

Coca Cola, PepsiCo (soda)

FritoLay (chips)

Kraft (boxed dinners, mac&cheese)

Procter & Gamble (soap, toothpaste)