America Sentences the Twinkie
I’m 29 years old. My generation grew up enticed with the sweet, delicious flavor of whatever the hell they put into Twinkies and Wonder Bread and these other brands that somehow convinced our grandparents and parents that they should abandon their healthy ways and move into the world of convenience and trans fattiness.
The company that makes those products, Interstate Bakery, has declared bankruptcy. Apparently, Americans are wising up to eating foods that are made of nothing but bleached flour, trans fat and preservatives. Spokespeople at the company say that they have already eliminated trans fats from their Twinkies and have Whole Grain Wonder Bread on the shelves.
But it is not now that we should allow companies like this to modify their image, now that we’ve discovered the truth and pointed our fingers we can’t simply allow them to say “Ah, you got us! Sorry.”
I’m proud of our country, that so many retailers — from corner stores to your local grocer to Walmarts — are now offering so many more organic, 0 trans fat, and whole wheat options. It’s a testament to the American consumer, because these companies never would have done this on their own.
It’s a sign of just how powerful we are. Anytime that you think that you have no power, you’re just a single person, remember this: we as Americans have transformed the way our food is made in less than a decade. If a company is doing something you don’t like, you can stop them, you can change them: just don’t shop there.
Congratulations, America. This is one of those times I can proudly chant USA!
Read or listen to an NPR article about the company’s bankruptcy.
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