Politics: Creating an “Eat More” Food Environment

In a competitive food marketplace, food companies must satisfy stockholders by encouraging more people to eat more of their products. They seek new audiences among children, target members of minority groups for special marketing campaigns, and develop international markets for their products. In existing markets, they expand sales through advertising, but also by developing new products designed to respond to consumer “demands.” In recent years, marketers have embraced a new strategy—increasing the sizes of food portions. Advertising, new products, and larger portions all contribute to a food environment that promotes eating more, not less.