The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka cover image

95. Calley Means: Exposing the Secrets of the Food and Healthcare Industry

The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka

NOTE

The Tobacco Industry's Covert Transition into Food

In the 1980s, the tobacco industry began a significant transition into the food sector, driven by a decline in smoking as scientific evidence against cigarettes mounted. Major tobacco companies, like Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, utilized their substantial cash reserves and influence to acquire significant food companies, making them two of the largest food entities in the world. They strategically transferred their vast number of scientists, who had been instrumental in creating addictive cigarette products, to focus on food, specifically in refining sugary products. This shift included employing lobbying tactics and funding research to downplay the health risks of sugar, as exemplified by their funding of studies at Harvard that claimed sugar did not contribute to obesity. These studies laid the groundwork for the infamous food pyramid established in 1992, which incorrectly demonized animal fats while promoting carbohydrates and sugars as healthy options, subsequently altering dietary patterns in the U.S. and influencing nutrition guidelines worldwide.

00:00
Transcript
Play full episode

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner