Food Makers Warn Healthy Eating Could Harm the Economy

NEW YORK — The world's biggest food manufacturers are warning that growing interest in fresh, nutritious food could have "serious consequences" for the economy.

"We're seeing people eat more whole foods, fewer products loaded with sugar, salt and fat," said Robert Henshaw of the International Council for Responsible Food Growth. "Frankly, it's alarming. Nobody saw this coming."

"If people remain healthy, they require fewer medications and medical procedures. They make fewer insurance claims. They have less need for long-term financial assistance and medical financing," he said. "The implications for several major sectors of the economy are considerable."

Many of the companies supporting the recommendation also hold significant investments in healthcare, insurance and financial services — a detail Henshaw dismissed as "a coincidence of diversified portfolios, and also off the record."

Industry analysts backed the warning. People are urged to eat more ultra-processed foods — to get more fat, sugar and salt.

"When people stay healthy, they stop generating claims, stop needing financing, stop needing us," said analyst Margaret Bell. "Multiply that across the population and you're looking at a devastating collapse in lifetime customer value, across important sectors. It's a genuine crisis."

The Council has proposed a new "Heart Smart" labeling initiative, which food safety experts note does not require food to be smart, or particularly good for the heart.

Asked whether the industry had any interest in making people sick, Henshaw was unequivocal.

"None whatsoever," he said.

At press time, the Council was reportedly lobbying to have vegetables reclassified as a "specialty product."