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Revision as of 16:56, 5 December 2014 editDrmies (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Checkusers, Oversighters, Administrators406,272 editsm →Beer← Previous edit Revision as of 17:09, 5 December 2014 edit undoDrmies (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Checkusers, Oversighters, Administrators406,272 edits →Criticism: trim. who called this Emoto guy a doctor? rm foodbabe link--the article is no longer there. strange!Next edit →
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Hari has been criticized by some scientists. Following her Subway petition, Dr. Steven Novella of Yale University and the New England Skeptical Society criticized the petition by Hari, describing the campaign as "unscientific" and a case of "food-based fear mongering."<ref name="neurologica">{{cite web | url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/more-yoga-mat-hysteria/ | title=More Yoga Mat Hysteria | publisher=NeuroLogicaBlog | date=February 28, 2014 | accessdate=April 29, 2014 | last=Novella | first=Steven | authorlink=Steven Novella | website=Neurologica}}</ref> Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz, chemistry professor at McGill University, states Hari "has no understanding of chemistry or food science."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2014/06/14/why_big_food_fears_the_food_babe.html | title=Why Big Food fears the 'Food Babe' | work=The Toronto Star | date=June 14, 2014 | last=White |first=Nancy J.}}</ref> He describes several chemicals that Hari demonizes, such as calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen sulphate, and azodicarbonamide as being safe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/features/viewpoints/story.html?id=f033329a-fb0a-48fd-a4a7-ea007e32bebc|title=The Food Babe is anything but an expert on food matters|last=Schwarcz|first=Joseph A.|work=]|accessdate=September 1, 2014|date=April 26, 2014}}</ref> Hari has been criticized by some scientists. Following her Subway petition, Dr. Steven Novella of Yale University and the New England Skeptical Society criticized the petition by Hari, describing the campaign as "unscientific" and a case of "food-based fear mongering."<ref name="neurologica">{{cite web | url=http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/more-yoga-mat-hysteria/ | title=More Yoga Mat Hysteria | publisher=NeuroLogicaBlog | date=February 28, 2014 | accessdate=April 29, 2014 | last=Novella | first=Steven | authorlink=Steven Novella | website=Neurologica}}</ref> Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz, chemistry professor at McGill University, states Hari "has no understanding of chemistry or food science."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2014/06/14/why_big_food_fears_the_food_babe.html | title=Why Big Food fears the 'Food Babe' | work=The Toronto Star | date=June 14, 2014 | last=White |first=Nancy J.}}</ref> He describes several chemicals that Hari demonizes, such as calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen sulphate, and azodicarbonamide as being safe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.canada.com/montrealgazette/features/viewpoints/story.html?id=f033329a-fb0a-48fd-a4a7-ea007e32bebc|title=The Food Babe is anything but an expert on food matters|last=Schwarcz|first=Joseph A.|work=]|accessdate=September 1, 2014|date=April 26, 2014}}</ref>


Following her beer campaign, David Gorski of Wayne State University stated that the beer companies had "fallen victim to the latest quack making a name for herself on the Internet by peddling pseudoscience."<ref name="Gorski 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vani-hari-a-k-a-the-food-babe-the-jenny-mccarthy-of-food/|title=Vani Hari (a.k.a. The Food Babe): The Jenny McCarthy of food|last=Gorski|first=David|authorlink=David Gorski|date=June 16, 2014|work=Science-Based Medicine|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Following her beer campaign, David Gorski of Wayne State University stated that the beer companies had "fallen victim to the latest quack making a name for herself on the Internet by peddling pseudoscience."<ref name="Gorski 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vani-hari-a-k-a-the-food-babe-the-jenny-mccarthy-of-food/|title=Vani Hari (a.k.a. The Food Babe): The Jenny McCarthy of food|last=Gorski|first=David|authorlink=David Gorski|date=June 16, 2014|work=Science-Based Medicine|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>


In an October 2011 blog post, Hari questioned the efficacy of flu shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foodbabe.com/2011/10/04/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/|title=Should I get the Flu Shot?|last=Hari|first=Vani|date=October 4, 2011|work=Food Babe|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Dr. William Schaffner of ] says she included incorrect information on how seasonal influenza vaccines work, and challenges her assertion that flu shots are dangerous.<ref name="Purvis 2014">{{cite news | url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/13/5040109/charlottes-food-babe-has-lots.html | title=Charlotte’s Food Babe has lots of fans – and some critics | work=Charlotte Observer | date=July 18, 2014 | last=Purvis |first=Kathleen}}</ref> In an October 2011 blog post, Hari questioned the efficacy of flu shots.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://foodbabe.com/2011/10/04/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/|title=Should I get the Flu Shot?|last=Hari|first=Vani|date=October 4, 2011|work=Food Babe|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Dr. William Schaffner of ] says she included incorrect information on how seasonal influenza vaccines work, and challenges her assertion that flu shots are dangerous.<ref name="Purvis 2014">{{cite news | url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/07/13/5040109/charlottes-food-babe-has-lots.html | title=Charlotte’s Food Babe has lots of fans – and some critics | work=Charlotte Observer | date=July 18, 2014 | last=Purvis |first=Kathleen}}</ref>


Hari has argued against the use of ], for reasons that include the claim that they cause water molecules to form crystals that resemble crystals that have been exposed to "negative thoughts or beliefs," including the names of ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://foodbabe.com/2012/07/30/why-its-time-to-throw-out-your-microwave/ |title=Why It’s Time To Throw Out Your Microwave |last1=Hari |first1=Vani |date=July 30, 2012 |website=FoodBabe.com |accessdate=April 29, 2014}}</ref> She cites the work of Dr. ] in support of this claim.<ref name="Scam Stud">{{cite web |last=Crislip |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Crislip |date=October 18, 2013 |title=Scam Stud |url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/scam-stud/ |work=Science-Based Medicine |accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref> Dr. Novella calls Emoto's claims "pure pseudoscience" and states that "Hari's conclusions about microwaves are all demonstrably incorrect and at odds with the scientific evidence."<ref>{{cite web|last=Novella|first=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/microwaves-and-nutrition/ |title=Microwaves and Nutrition|work=Science-Based Medicine|date=April 30, 2014|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref> Hari argued in a July 2012 post against the use of ], because they cause water molecules to form crystals that resemble crystals that have been exposed to "negative thoughts or beliefs," including the names of ] and ]--an idea she borrowed from ].<ref name="Scam Stud">{{cite web |last=Crislip |first=Mark |authorlink=Mark Crislip |date=October 18, 2013 |title=Scam Stud |url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/scam-stud/ |work=Science-Based Medicine |accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref> Dr. Novella calls Emoto's claims "pure pseudoscience" and states that "Hari's conclusions about microwaves are all demonstrably incorrect and at odds with the scientific evidence."<ref>{{cite web|last=Novella|first=Steven|authorlink=Steven Novella|url=http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/microwaves-and-nutrition/ |title=Microwaves and Nutrition|work=Science-Based Medicine|date=April 30, 2014|accessdate=September 1, 2014}}</ref>


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 17:09, 5 December 2014

Vani Hari
Born (1980-03-22) March 22, 1980 (age 44)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Known forFood blogger, food activist
Websitewww.foodbabe.com

Vani Hari, also known on her blog as the Food Babe, is an American author and activist known for her criticism of the food industry. Companies including Kraft, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, and Subway have changed or reconsidered ingredients in their products as a result of her campaigns. She has been criticised by scientists and others for promoting pseudoscientific claims and beliefs in her work which, critics note, supports a commercial interest as well.

Career

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hari first attended the University of Georgia before switching to University of North Carolina at Charlotte. After graduating in 2001 with a degree in computer science, Hari worked as a management consultant for Accenture. She started the Food Babe blog in 2011. Her first book The Food Babe Way will be released in February 2015.

Activism

Chick-fil-A

In 2011, Hari wrote a piece about over 100 ingredients in Chick-fil-A sandwiches which she alleged to be harmful. Chick-fil-A responded to Hari's post in May 2012, inviting her to its headquarters in Atlanta to work with the company and discuss her concerns. In large part because of Hari's efforts, Chick-fil-A announced in late 2013 it was removing dyes, artificial corn syrup, and TBHQ from their products. They also announced a plan to only use antibiotic-free chickens within the next five years.

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Hari began investigating what food ingredients were used at Chipotle Mexican Grill starting in 2012. Her investigation revealed the company was using genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) in their cooking oil and trans fats in their tortillas, and that their black beans contained genetically modified soybean oil. One week after posting her investigation to Foodbabe.com, Chipotle communications director Chris Arnold requested a meeting with Hari to discuss the public disclosure of its ingredients. In March 2013, as a result of Hari's efforts, Chipotle published its full ingredients list on all menu items, including where Chipotle uses GMOs.

2012 Democratic National Convention

Hari's activism brought national media attention when she protested the increasing prevalence of GMOs in America's food supply during the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which she attended as an elected delegate. Hari sat in the first row on the convention floor, and held a sign that read "Label GMOs!" during Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack's speech. Hari said President Barack Obama broke a promise that he made during his 2008 presidential campaign to label genetically modified food: "I ran to be a delegate again to make sure he stays accountable for that decision. He hasn’t addressed it once."

Kraft Foods

Hari petitioned Kraft Foods to remove certain petroleum-based artificial food dyes from their Mac & Cheese. The petition received over 270,000 signatures on Change.org. She held a tasting event outside a Chicago grocery store to compare the UK version of Kraft Mac & Cheese, which doesn't contain dyes, with the US version. Hari also went to Kraft's headquarters just outside Chicago to drop off the petition and voice her concerns. Hari's campaign received worldwide media coverage, and after seven months, Kraft responded by removing the dye from all their products aimed at children.

Subway

In 2014, Hari launched a petition against Subway to remove azodicarbonamide (a flour bleaching agent) from their sandwich bread. The petition gathered more than 50,000 signatures in 24 hours. Subway, the world's largest sandwich chain, quickly responded by announcing a plan to remove the chemical from all of their sandwich breads. Additionally Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and Publix Super Markets announced they would remove the chemical.

NPR performed a follow up story about Hari's petition to Subway in which several food science experts asserted that azodicarbonamide use in bread is reasonable and claims about its health risks are inaccurate, while a representative from the Environmental Working Group stated that azodicarbonamide is not necessary for use in bread.

Beer

On June 11, 2014, Hari posted a petition on her website to pressure major brewers to list the ingredients in their products, something which US brewers are not required to do. The next day, Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors released ingredients in many of their most popular products for the first time. Anheuser-Busch listed the ingredients of its Budweiser and Bud Light products, and announced plans to list the ingredients for other brands, including Beck's, Busch, and Michelob; MillerCoors posted the ingredients of Miller Lite, Coors Light, and six other brands on its Facebook page. The petition gathered more than 44,000 signatures in two days.

Criticism

Hari has been criticized by some scientists. Following her Subway petition, Dr. Steven Novella of Yale University and the New England Skeptical Society criticized the petition by Hari, describing the campaign as "unscientific" and a case of "food-based fear mongering." Dr. Joseph A. Schwarcz, chemistry professor at McGill University, states Hari "has no understanding of chemistry or food science." He describes several chemicals that Hari demonizes, such as calcium carbonate, sodium hydrogen sulphate, and azodicarbonamide as being safe.

Following her beer campaign, David Gorski of Wayne State University stated that the beer companies had "fallen victim to the latest quack making a name for herself on the Internet by peddling pseudoscience."

In an October 2011 blog post, Hari questioned the efficacy of flu shots. Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University says she included incorrect information on how seasonal influenza vaccines work, and challenges her assertion that flu shots are dangerous.

Hari argued in a July 2012 post against the use of microwave ovens, because they cause water molecules to form crystals that resemble crystals that have been exposed to "negative thoughts or beliefs," including the names of Hitler and Satan--an idea she borrowed from Masaru Emoto. Dr. Novella calls Emoto's claims "pure pseudoscience" and states that "Hari's conclusions about microwaves are all demonstrably incorrect and at odds with the scientific evidence."

References

  1. Sheridan, Ann (August 29, 2012). "Food blogger hopes to get Obama's attention". NBC News.
  2. ^ Little, Katie (February 7, 2014). "That Chemical Subway Ditched? McDonald's, Wendy's Use it Too". NBCNews.com. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  3. ^ Strom, Stephanie (December 30, 2013). "Social Media As A Megaphone To Pressure The Food Industry". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Horowitz, Bruce (February 10, 2014). "Subway to remove chemical from bread". USA Today.
  5. ^ Purvis, Kathleen (September 8, 2014). "Charlotte's Food Babe has lots of fans – and some critics". Charlotte Observer. Cite error: The named reference "Purvis 2014" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. Stafford, Duane (September 17, 2014). "Food Babe's attacks draw 'quackmail' backlash". Chicago Tribune.
  7. ^ Godoy, Maria (December 4, 2014). "Is The Food Babe A Fearmonger? Scientists Are Speaking Out : The Salt : NPR". NPR. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  8. Hari, Vani. "Join Me! Investigate Your Food: About Vani Hari". Food Babe. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  9. Taylor, Kate (February 12, 2014). "How This Food Blogger Convinced Chick-fil-A to Go Antibiotics Free". Entrepreneur.com.
  10. Choi, Candace. "Chick-Fil-A Removing Artificial Dye, High Fructose Corn Syrup". Huffington Post.
  11. Munarriz, Rick Aristotle (December 17, 2013). "The Crazy Thing Chick-fil-A Is Afraid to Tell You About Its Menu". Daily Finance.
  12. "Chick-Fil-EW! Chick-Fil-A announces it will remove butane, artificial dyes, and high fructose corn syrup from food by 2014". Daily Mail. Associated Press. December 4, 2013.
  13. Fuss, Sarah (March 27, 2013). "Activist Blogger 'Foodbabe' Scores Big Win With Chipotle". Participant Media TakePart. Los Angeles, California. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  14. ^ Wooley, Nate (March 29, 2013). "'Foodbabe' Blogger Gets Wish: Chipotle Discloses What's In Its Burritos". InvestorPlace. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  15. ^ Somers, Meredith (September 5, 2012). "Delegate's front-row seat a bully pulpit on what we eat". The Washington Times. Washington, D.C.: Unification Church. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  16. Bryan, David Perlmutt Florence; Mayhew, Justin (September 4, 2012). "Fried chicken, political buttons and a little darkness: Delegates find it all". The Charlotte Observer. Charlotte, North Carolina: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  17. Dougherty, Elizabeth (September 18, 2012). "DNC Delegate Stands Up To Obama And USDA At Convention". News Talk Florida. Largo, Florida: Genesis Communications Network. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  18. Lazare, Lewis (April 2, 2013). "Kraft Foods listens to the Food Babe — and then responds". Chicago Business Journal.
  19. York, Emily (April 1, 2013). "Kraft served in mac 'n' cheese fight". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Tribune Company. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  20. James, Susan Donaldson (March 7, 2013). "Mom to Kraft: Take Yellow Dye Out of Mac and Cheese". ABC News. New York City: American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  21. Strom, Stephanie (June 5, 2013). "A Suspect Food Warning in Britain Spreads an Alarm". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  22. Staff writer (October 31, 2013). "Kraft to remove artificial dyes from three macaroni and cheese varieties". The Guardian. New York City. Associated Press. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  23. Donaldson James, Susan (February 5, 2014). "Subway Takes Chemical Out of Sandwich Bread After Protest". ABC News.
  24. Miller, Tracy (February 6, 2014). "Subway will remove additive found in plastics from its bread after blogger's online petition". New York Daily News. New York City. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  25. O'Brien, Robyn (June 13, 2012). "Eating Fresh? Check Out What's Served Up in a Sub". Prevention. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  26. "Kraft Mac and Cheese: Bloggers Want Food Dye Removed". Good Morning America. ABC.
  27. Cornish, Audi (March 6, 2014). "Almost 500 Foods Contain The 'Yoga Mat' Compound. Should We Care?". National Public Radio. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  28. Cornish, Audi (March 6, 2014). "Almost 500 Foods Contain The 'Yoga Mat' Compound. Should We Care? (Audio Transcript)". National Public Radio. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  29. Pisani, Joseph (June 12, 2014). "Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors Post Beer Ingredients". Associated Press.
  30. Sacks, Brianna (June 13, 2014). "Pressed by blogger, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors post beer ingredients". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  31. ^ "Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors list ingredients in key brands". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Associated Press. June 13, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  32. "Beer details on tap after food blogger starts one-woman campaign to force brewing companies to list their ingredients". Daily Mail. Associated Press. June 12, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  33. Novella, Steven (February 28, 2014). "More Yoga Mat Hysteria". Neurologica. NeuroLogicaBlog. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  34. White, Nancy J. (June 14, 2014). "Why Big Food fears the 'Food Babe'". The Toronto Star.
  35. Schwarcz, Joseph A. (April 26, 2014). "The Food Babe is anything but an expert on food matters". The Gazette. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  36. Gorski, David (June 16, 2014). "Vani Hari (a.k.a. The Food Babe): The Jenny McCarthy of food". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  37. Hari, Vani (October 4, 2011). "Should I get the Flu Shot?". Food Babe. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  38. Crislip, Mark (October 18, 2013). "Scam Stud". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  39. Novella, Steven (April 30, 2014). "Microwaves and Nutrition". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved September 1, 2014.

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