By Rich Bindell

You know Jillian Michaels as the now-famous inspirational trainer (and former overweight consumer) from The Biggest Loser. Did you know that the main reason she has been able to maintain her healthy body is from eating organic foods and staying FAR AWAY from processed food products? It sounds like Jillian is well aware of the problems that burden our corporate-controlled food system, run by giants like Monsanto, Cargill, Tyson and Nestlé. If only the show could focus on that part of a better health strategy, it could really teach people about the critical importance of the Farm Bill in improving our food and our health as a nation.

Wait a minute… that gives us an idea!

America has already opened its collective consciousness to the lessons of The Biggest Loser. The show’s contestants are close to our hearts for good reason: they’ve allowed us to examine ourselves and how we view our own health. But, now it’s time to welcome a new group into the fold and follow them as they head down a path toward self-improvement and healing. Only this time, the contestants aren’t playing for themselves, but for everyone who depends upon a healthy food system.

Welcome to the Biggest FARM BILL Loser.

Instead of contestants like former NFL player Antone Davis and 5th grade teacher Sunny Sinclair, we will get to know three “people” who will be critical to our ability to fix this country’s broken food system. Unlike The Biggest Loser reality show, these contestants depend on YOU for their ultimate success. Say hello to the new “cast”…

The American Consumer
Started with optimal health and weight but is now seriously overweight due to her switch from wholesome food produced by the independent farmer to the consumption of processed food.

The Independent Farmer
Struggling to stay in business due to falling crop prices and flooded commodity markets.

The Corporate Fat Cat
The beneficiary of the overproduction of corn and soy. Provider of cheap processed food and profiteer responsible for downfall of the farmer.

Just how critical is the Farm Bill in this contest?

We need a better Farm Bill so we can protect our farmers with fair prices for their food.

We need a better Farm Bill so everyone has access to healthy food at an affordable price.

We need a better Farm Bill to break up the powerful monopolies in the food system so that small and medium producers have a fair chance in the marketplace.

It’s not going to be easy to make these positive changes. The processed food giants have a powerful lobby with deep pockets that heavily influence Congress. If you think that’s an exaggeration, just take a look at what Congress did to recommended reforms for the meat industry.

Better yet, check out The Biggest Farm Bill Loser video and see for yourself how it works. We all have a stake in this contest, so let’s play to win.

If you’d like to learn more about the Farm Bill and what you can do get involved, visit us at www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez61RL44X5Q

By Rich Bindell

[Originally published by Food & Water Watch]

I’ve always disliked the term “natural flavors” on the occasion that I see it in the ingredients list on a food label. What does that mean exactly? I always thought it included things like lemon juice or sea salt. But natural flavors can include human hair, crushed-up beetles and, my favorite, beaver anal glands. These all sound like things that might “accidentally” make it into your food. But in the processed food industry, these items give food its distinctive taste and texture. They are purposefully added to foods and often called “natural,” according to Bruce Bradley, former corporate food executive turned blogger. (Hat tip to Grist for telling us about him.)

Bradley tackles topics such as the truth behind the sugar substitute Truvia and the real meaning of the terms “natural flavors and colors” on The Blog of Bruce Bradley, which covers topics besides food, such as family, writing and animals. But the most hard-hitting entries seem to be food related, thanks to the time he spent as an executive in the food industry where he worked for companies including General Mills, Nabisco and Pillsbury.

Bradley seems comfortable with his new role, one of informant. Many of his food blogs include information about the frequent practices of the processed food industry that are quite revealing. Be sure to check out this blog entry from Halloween. It just might make your skin crawl.

As a consumer advocate, it’s interesting for us to see an insider blog that gives up industry secrets and tricks. Though we’re familiar with many of them, it confirms that food companies manipulate language and industry requirements in order to make claims that otherwise might be considered false. This is why it’s so important for consumers to be aware of various loopholes in labeling laws.