Episode 003: Inside the Political World of Food Labeling with Lauren Swann, MS, RDN

In this episode of The Food Sommelier Podcast, I chat with Registered Dietitian Lauren Swann about pitfalls and politics around food labels and ingredient statements.

ABOUT LAUREN SWANN, MS, RD

Lauren’s unique background has creatively combined the dynamics of marketing communications and regulatory affairs — seasoned with a passion for cultural foodways — for an accomplished 30+ year track-record in nutrition communications. Her consulting business Concept Nutrition, Inc. offers strategies to effectively deliver accurate nutrition messages for industry, media and public health by providing food labeling advisory & nutrient analyses; marketing communications & freelance writing; and ethnic dietary practices consulting services. Whether it’s technical food science details, government regulations research, trends evaluation, campaign planning, freelance writing, or targeting consumer, trade, professional or specific subpopulation audience segments, she manages issues “where food policy, marketing trends and public health meet, intersect … or collide”. Highly experienced in applied food labeling regulations, she founded Concept Nutrition, Inc. in 1990 to meet needs for competitive marketplace positioning as well as government compliance following progressively responsible positions in the Kraft Foods Quality Assurance and Consumer Affairs departments. She also established the Regulatory Affairs Department for Vlasic Foods International world headquarters, a Campbell Soup spin-off company and has managed labeling for hundreds of items including unprecedented category entries requiring preliminary government liaison and emerging rules that initiated the basis for industry-wide guidance. Sought for thought-leader conferences and frequently tapped as a social media influencer, she owns Linked-In’s largest food labeling and advertising group, has delivered webinar presentations with record-breaking attendance, presented at major conferences, guest lectured at leading universities, developed customized label training presentations, published in leading industry publications, co-authored books for the popular and professional press and been interviewed by national and local media. Lauren has a Master of Science in Nutrition Communications from Boston University, a Bachelor of Science in Medical Dietetics from Howard University and is a Registered Dietitian, Licensed in the State of Pennsylvania.

“I do not believe that the food industry is trying to kill us, or else they wouldn’t have anyone to sell to” – Lauren Swann

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE…

How food labels can influence the types of foods you select and how you perceive those foods (4:10)

The inside scoop on food politics and how you can participate in this democratic process (6:25)

The low down on the hype behind whole grains (9:40)

Why Fruits Loops are NOT good for you even if they contain whole grains (11:00)

How ‘natural’ food companies are just as politically motivated as ‘big food’ (12:15)

The science behind why people prefer non-GMO and organic foods (16:55)

Why non-GMO doesn’t always imply healthy (20:40)

What the difference is between an artificial and natural flavor on the ingredient label (24:10)

What are cotton candy flavored grapes, grapples, and “Rainbow Flavor”? (29:30)

Where does “Ranch” flavor come from and what does it taste like? (30:45)

Why you probably confuse vanilla flavor with chocolate (33:00)

Why the vanilla you buy on vacation in Mexico is not necessarily safe (36:00)

Why most people think fresh mayonnaise tastes funny (40:00)

LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990

Marion Nestle and Food Politics

Monell Chemical Senses Center

Epicurious

The Daily Meal

The Food Network

Mark Bittman

Michael Pollan

Jane Brody

Center for Science and the Public Interest (CSPI)

Lauren’s Sweet Potato Breakfast Cobbler Recipe

THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Thanks so much for joining me again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Until next time!

The post Episode 003: Inside the Political World of Food Labeling with Lauren Swann, MS, RDN appeared first on Food Sommelier.