New York Times editorial on selling junk food to toddlers

The New York Times published an editorial recently (2/23/06)
"Selling Junk Food to Toddlers" on the marketing of junk food and sugary snacks to toddlers. "Parents are the first line of defense," the editorial states, although "it's tough to hold the line in the grocery store against the piercing whines of little ones...."

Too true. But then again you can't give in and raise a little brat who thinks that wanting is the same as having and who creates a god-awful racket in a public place because he can't have those pink-frosted cookies staring him in the face.

Which brings me to the oh-so-obvious marketing and placement ploys in the cereal and snack aisles. Fruit Loops and Shrek candy placed right at child-in-supermarket-cart eye level. Those end caps of potato chips--brightly colored, exploding with exciting graphics, and Mommy--there's TOYS inside. And the ever-dreaded chocolate-infused, Skittles, Lifesavers, M&M-fest that is the check-out lane.

Of course, there is the "No tabloids or candy line"--which ALWAYS has the little old lady who can't find her coupons or checkbook in front of the mom with 3 teenagers who has an overflowing cart with 3 12-packs of soda and enough Tide to launder a baseball team.

It would be dreamy to have a little more entertainment value in the produce section. Love those random water sprayers. Balloons are fine. Actually, Joe does enjoy going through this section--as he yells out "Look, Mommy, carrots! Apples! Lettuce! What's that, Mommy, Mooommmmmy!?"

I was happy to buy the baby carrots with Sponge Bob on the baggie (I know, I know--they're not real baby carrots, just mature carrots tumbled in a rock polisher to give them that shape). But Joe thought he was getting a treat--something just for him--Sponge Bob is his friend--and I liked the fact that he could play with the bag and eat the carrots while we shopped (and I sped by the cereal aisle like a Mom at Nascar.)

Some marketers are starting to use their powers for good rather than evil. (I think these might be the same ones that are getting sued for junk-food marketing, though.) Joe pointed out that he "LOVES Fruities, Mommy" as we passed the Fruit Loops at eye level. I noticed the box with the "1/3 less sugar than regular Fruit Loops"--it looked the same to him, so I compromised. (Hey, if your kid will eat Grape Nuts every day, then good for you.) And did you know that Cocoa Puffs are made with whole grain? Maybe I'm being duped.

Maybe all moms should take a class on reading nutrition labels at birthing class. If someone can point me towards the less-evil choices or give some tips on what to buy that kids will eat, I'm all for it. Just don't trick me or I'll sic the FTC on you.