The art of hijacking the brain and tricking the body into submission to eat manufactured food has essentially been perfected. Companies that want to sell their latest and greatest products via logos, bold colors, scents, how they feel in the hands, and even their sounds, have made a deep impact in the minds and homes of far too many people.
Competition between companies now relies on packaging designed to lure the consumer to excitement. Over what, you may ask? One product may have even less or none of the dreaded gluten, sugars, added colors, fillers, or seed oils than another. That, dear friend, may be very attractive, but what is the product really made of, and is it meant for the body to consume?
Please ask yourself: Should I be concerned?
Food addiction and the decline of our health have been happening continuously since the early 1970s. Traditional, whole, nutritious foods were apparently not exciting or attractive enough, so it seemed like a good time to capitalize on the human psyche by starting a new movement.
Remember the ‘Quarter Pounder’? That happened in 1971, and the behemoth of the fast-food industry was underway, unrelenting in its quest to infiltrate every town and city in this country and then the rest of the world. The sights and familiar symbols, tastes of sweet and sour, textures of crunchy and soft, drippings of oil and dressings, added ‘special sauces,’ colors, designs, catchy songs, giveaways, bargain meals, and the drive-thru have made it all so easy to say ‘yes’ to the clever manipulation. The thrill and anticipation of eating are so ever-present that people essentially cannot stop thinking of food.
How do these manufacturers manage to get away with all of this? They use tactics that exploit the human psyche and all its dimensions. Here are some of the tools that capture the attention of consumers almost every time:
- A. Sights and symbols. Pictures and actors in front of a camera, in a store, or the scene of a storefront (think arches, bells, buckets, mermaids, children’s faces, etc.) are alluring to most. The motion of a hand pulling a pizza slice with its melted cheese or the bite into a loaded burger are meant to exploit the visual senses of the viewer.
- B. Tastes and scents. The sensual nature of humanity is all too easy to take advantage of in the food industry. The sweeter, more palate-titillating, or more aromatic the product, the faster it will move off the shelf.
- C. Textures. Teams at food manufacturing companies perform testing to see how appealing the product is based on its oral sensation and the speed at which the item is eaten. Softer foods can easily trick the normal sensation of fullness so that a person will eat more and buy more. Forget the nutrient value—that is not a priority. If it melts in your mouth, you will likely finish the bag!
- D. Colors and lights. Bright, eye-catching colors and lights will draw the eye in and stimulate the individual to come near and explore the product or place where it is sold. If the package looks good, you are interested! All too clever!
- E. Sounds. The crunch, snap, or pop of the food can be very stimulating to anyone. A song, catchy tune, or musical arrangement can evoke pleasant thoughts or feelings that a person will associate with the product.
The food industry has captured its audience, and that means everyone. Meals and snacks have merged so close together, it seems. The actual feeling of hunger is no longer clear. The addictiveness of food products has taken over the minds and bodies of people everywhere.
Beware of the power of the food industry. It is high time that you stop, look, and understand what is truly happening. Addiction is not good, and you should not find yourself in that position. You need to be wise to the ways of the industry. If you need help and guidance to restore your health, make it happen. Your health depends on it!
source https://wellcomeomcenter.com/consumer-beware-food-industry-deception/
