Misleading Labelling Strategies – Healthwashing. Find an example of health washing, as defined in this module. The example can be from the Internet but I highly encourage you to find something yourself, either in a store or in your kitchen. It’s best if you can post a photo (especially one you took yourself), but make sure to cite the source if you do (including specifying if you took it). Explain why you think it’s greenwashing or healthwashing and give as much evidence as possible to backup your claim (i.e., say what claims the company is making and give evidence for why you think the claim may be misleading). Check to see how the marketing strategy (such as nutrient content, front of the pack labelling schemes, or certifications like “Fair Trade”) are regulated in Canada according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA’s) Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising(Opens new window).
Or
Misleading food terms: Describe one CFIA definition (e.g., homemade, organic, local, pure) that you find surprising or confusing and why. Check out the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA’s) Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising(Opens new window). Explain what influence you think this might have on shoppers.
Or
Willful ignorance: Do we want to be distanced from our food? As Pollan mentions in the article you read for Module 9, in some ways, we want to forget that our food comes from living beings. He puts it this way: “Forgetting, or willed ignorance, is the preferred strategy of many [meat] eaters” (Pollan, 2002). This makes it more palatable, both literally (to eat the food) and figuratively (for our conscience). In your blog, comment on the extent to which Pollan’s statement is true for you. Then, comment on the implications of this. How does your thinking/consciousness affect your diet? Does it help you to make changes or make it more difficult? If you thought differently, would your diet change?
Afterwards, check out some of your classmates’ experiences on. Comment on at least two other students’ posts. Were there any commonalities or differences in your experiences? Did you learn anything new or interesting from their experience?
