Timeline Of Events Shows A Link Between Sugar Industry And Splenda Attacks
The following timeline regarding the intruiging relationship between Dr. Stuart Fischer and the Sugar Association openly attacking Splenda should open your eyes to the coordinated effort to destroy this product that so many of us low-carbers love and appreciate for helping us break our sugar addiction:
The media advisory sent to promote Dr. Fischer lists Qorvis Communications as the contact. Of note, Qorvis is the PR firm representing the Sugar Association. They are the group behind www.truthaboutsplenda.com, press releases, press conferences, etc. They appear to have a very coordinated campaign against Splenda. (my emphasis)
December 2004
The Sugar Association filed a lawsuit against McNeil Nutritionals, the makers of Splenda.
January 2005
The Sugar Association hires Qorvis communications to launch PR attack campaign against Splenda.
Qorvis says Splenda is Not So Sweet - http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/news/01-17-05-qorvis.html
The Sugar Association and Qorvis launch www.truthaboutsplenda.com.
The 'Truth About Splenda' Website Launched; Website Represents First Step in a Major Public Education Campaign. http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0112-08.htm
Generation Green becomes first ì-consumer group to issue press release about Splenda's marketing and calling for an FTC investigation.
Splenda Marketing Campaign Seeks to Mislead, Confuse Consumers
http://www.generationgreen.org/2005-01_lead-story.htm
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy issues press release and files complaint with FTC regarding Splenda advertising
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release. Five Lawsuits Filed Against Splenda; Johnson & Johnson Under Fire Concerning False Advertising and Misleading Consumers About Splenda
http://truthaboutsplenda.com/news/01-27-05-lawsuit.html
February 2005
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release announcing press conference.
On Valentine's Day Nothing is Sweeter than the Truth! Press Conference to Announce Latest Effort in Fight Against Splenda's Misleading Marketing Practices
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release regarding press conference organized by Qorvis. Growing Number of National Organizations Raise Concern With Splenda's Marketing Practices; Certain Groups Urge FTC to Investigate Misleading Advertising Confusing Consumers
http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/news/02-14-05-growing.html
Florida Consumer Action Network issues release demanding FTC probe into Splenda marketing campaign.
March 2005
Organic Consumers Association issues release asking Splenda ads be investigated
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release. Dieticians Think Splenda Ads Are 'Rotten';J&J/McNeil's Splenda Ads Win Canadian 'Rotten Apple' Prize
http://truthaboutsplenda.com/news/03-24-05-dieticians.html
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue release, More Nutritionists Questioning Splenda's Marketing Claims; Ads Saying Splenda is Like Sugar 'Could Come Back to Haunt Us'
April 2005
Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (AlaLEAVs) sends $1000 checks to environment groups to convince them to protest expansion of a Splenda plant. Media speculates that the Sugar Association was involved.
PAC checks surround Splenda battle - http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1114766225317990.xml
June 2005
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue advisory making Dr. Stuart Fischer available for media interviews.
How about this? It seems the plot behind the scenes from the sugar industry and its allies has been unfolding for nearly eight months in an all-out assault against the makers of Splenda. With such calculated steps being taken by the sugar industry to protect themselves from economic failure because their product is a major contributer in the obesity epidemic in this country, don't think they won't do everything within their means to bring an end to their primary competion. Even if that means trumping up false allegations against a good product like Splenda, they'll do it and never think twice about it.
This is such a shame and it must be stopped. Contact your Congressman today and ask him to help stop this harassment by the sugar lobby against Splenda. If you are livin' la vida low-carb and believe Splenda has played an important role in your weight loss and improved health, then you should stand up and make your voice heard. Do it not only for the sake of your health, but also the health of all those who are being needlessly scared about the alleged "dangers" of Splenda. I contend sugar is a lot more dangerous for you than Splenda will ever be. Our voice must be heard on this issue!
The media advisory sent to promote Dr. Fischer lists Qorvis Communications as the contact. Of note, Qorvis is the PR firm representing the Sugar Association. They are the group behind www.truthaboutsplenda.com, press releases, press conferences, etc. They appear to have a very coordinated campaign against Splenda. (my emphasis)
December 2004
The Sugar Association filed a lawsuit against McNeil Nutritionals, the makers of Splenda.
January 2005
The Sugar Association hires Qorvis communications to launch PR attack campaign against Splenda.
Qorvis says Splenda is Not So Sweet - http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/news/01-17-05-qorvis.html
The Sugar Association and Qorvis launch www.truthaboutsplenda.com.
The 'Truth About Splenda' Website Launched; Website Represents First Step in a Major Public Education Campaign. http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0112-08.htm
Generation Green becomes first ì-consumer group to issue press release about Splenda's marketing and calling for an FTC investigation.
Splenda Marketing Campaign Seeks to Mislead, Confuse Consumers
http://www.generationgreen.org/2005-01_lead-story.htm
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy issues press release and files complaint with FTC regarding Splenda advertising
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release. Five Lawsuits Filed Against Splenda; Johnson & Johnson Under Fire Concerning False Advertising and Misleading Consumers About Splenda
http://truthaboutsplenda.com/news/01-27-05-lawsuit.html
February 2005
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release announcing press conference.
On Valentine's Day Nothing is Sweeter than the Truth! Press Conference to Announce Latest Effort in Fight Against Splenda's Misleading Marketing Practices
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release regarding press conference organized by Qorvis. Growing Number of National Organizations Raise Concern With Splenda's Marketing Practices; Certain Groups Urge FTC to Investigate Misleading Advertising Confusing Consumers
http://www.truthaboutsplenda.com/news/02-14-05-growing.html
Florida Consumer Action Network issues release demanding FTC probe into Splenda marketing campaign.
March 2005
Organic Consumers Association issues release asking Splenda ads be investigated
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue press release. Dieticians Think Splenda Ads Are 'Rotten';J&J/McNeil's Splenda Ads Win Canadian 'Rotten Apple' Prize
http://truthaboutsplenda.com/news/03-24-05-dieticians.html
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue release, More Nutritionists Questioning Splenda's Marketing Claims; Ads Saying Splenda is Like Sugar 'Could Come Back to Haunt Us'
April 2005
Alabama League of Environmental Action Voters (AlaLEAVs) sends $1000 checks to environment groups to convince them to protest expansion of a Splenda plant. Media speculates that the Sugar Association was involved.
PAC checks surround Splenda battle - http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1114766225317990.xml
June 2005
The Sugar Association and Qorvis issue advisory making Dr. Stuart Fischer available for media interviews.
How about this? It seems the plot behind the scenes from the sugar industry and its allies has been unfolding for nearly eight months in an all-out assault against the makers of Splenda. With such calculated steps being taken by the sugar industry to protect themselves from economic failure because their product is a major contributer in the obesity epidemic in this country, don't think they won't do everything within their means to bring an end to their primary competion. Even if that means trumping up false allegations against a good product like Splenda, they'll do it and never think twice about it.
This is such a shame and it must be stopped. Contact your Congressman today and ask him to help stop this harassment by the sugar lobby against Splenda. If you are livin' la vida low-carb and believe Splenda has played an important role in your weight loss and improved health, then you should stand up and make your voice heard. Do it not only for the sake of your health, but also the health of all those who are being needlessly scared about the alleged "dangers" of Splenda. I contend sugar is a lot more dangerous for you than Splenda will ever be. Our voice must be heard on this issue!
posted by Jimmy Moore at
7/11/2005 07:25:00 PM
3 Comments:
Jimmy, thank you for your excellent research on this topic. I am putting a link on my blog sending people to read this if they are concerned about Splenda.
Kalyn Denny
http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com
Interesting....but, and this is just a question, if Splenda isn't really made from sugar, isn't it false to advertise that it tastes like sugar because "it's made from sugar"? I think that's what's got the sugar association's feathers ruffled.
On a different note, criticism of Splenda and other artificial sweeteners isn't new...this recent spate of "attacks" is just different.
Personally I prefer to look at what research has shown to determine if eating it is safe or not. From that perspective, I think the jury is still out.
THANKS FOR THE LINK, Kalyn! Did I mention I've added a link to your blog in my book? :-)
Jeff, I have not personally tried Stevia, but many of my low-carb friends swear by it. It has a strong sweetness like Splenda, but is not in the spotlight right now. If it gains popularity, then I expect these pro-sugar people to go after it, too.
Regina, I agree to a point with your assertion about the advertising of Splenda. But this goes much deeper than any false claims against Splenda. The sugar lobby will stop at nothing to get more people to buy their product. Sales are sluggish right now with sugar and it's hurting them big time because of low-carb. YOU GOTTA LOVE IT! Their agenda behind their attacks should be examined more than Splenda's advertising techniques.
THANKS for all the great comments on this blog post!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home