[The CEOs of food companies like J.M. Smucker, which owns brands like Twinkies and Uncrustables, are predicting that Americans’ love of snacks will continue to drive demand for their products, despite the pushes for healthier eating by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the potential for changes to food labels and regulations.
J.M. Smucker CEO Mark Smucker believes that snacking will continue to be a key part of American consumers’ daily routines, and that they will look for ways to reward themselves throughout the day. He notes that around half of Americans already eat three or more snacks a day.
The company’s response comes as Kennedy, the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, has spoken about the need to limit access to processed foods and snacks, and to increase awareness about the ingredients used in these products. Kennedy has referred to common snacks like chips, gummy bears, and other processed foods as “chemical poisons.”
However, even if Kennedy’s proposals become law, food companies aren’t expecting a significant impact to their businesses. “The food industry ought to be quaking in its boots, but they don’t think it’s going to happen,” says Marion Nestle, a leading authority on nutrition and food policy.
Smucker also notes that the growth of GLP-1 medications, which aid in weight loss, has not had a significant impact on the company’s business. However, the company is doing research on the trend and may consider making changes to some of its brands to adapt to the trend, such as reducing sugar or introducing new products.
Other food companies are also adjusting their strategies in response to the rise of weight loss drugs. For example, Nestlé recently launched a new line of frozen meals that are high in protein and fiber, designed to be a companion to GLP-1 weight loss medication users.
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