Topic: Heinz

A Florida woman is suing Kraft Heinz, alleging that Velveeta Shells & Cheese takes longer than the advertised "three and a half minutes" to prepare. The hosts argue this is a "smokescreen" for a more serious federal ruling regarding Kraft's claims of having "no artificial preservatives," which a judge recently allowed to proceed due to the presence of synthetic citric acid.

Kraft Heinz announced it is removing Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program following a Consumer Reports study finding high levels of lead and sodium in the products. This move coincides with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, which targets processed foods in schools. The company cited a lack of demand, though health advocates view it as a victory for student nutrition.

Consumer Reports found high levels of lead and cadmium in store-bought Lunchables, with some kits reaching 74% of the maximum daily limit allowed in California. The group is petitioning the USDA to remove these products from the National School Lunch Program. Kraft Heinz defended the products, stating the minerals occur naturally in the environment.

Kraft Heinz releases a plant-based "Mac N Cheese" made with fava beans and coconut oil instead of dairy. The hosts mock the product as "disgusting" and representative of a future where real food is replaced by highly processed alternatives.

Kraft Heinz is increasing production shifts at packaged food plants to meet a spike in demand for macaroni and cheese. The hosts note that International Mac and Cheese Day coincides with Bastille Day, July 14, 2022. A classic George Carlin monologue is played to illustrate the American obsession with fast food and processed cheese products.

Major food companies like General Mills and Kraft Heinz are planning significant price increases for wholesalers in early 2022. Meanwhile, Jelena McWilliams resigned as Chairman of the FDIC following what some describe as a "hostile takeover" by partisan board members. These shifts in financial and regulatory leadership are occurring as economists predict 10-20% price increases for consumer goods.

The "Freakonomics" podcast explored the business of edible insects, suggesting that 20% insect flour could be snuck into cookies or introduced via dog food to acclimate consumers. Kraft Heinz sensory managers are researching how to make insects "hidden" or "happy" on packaging. The segment also mentions "cricket cream cheese" and the Japanese term "conchu" as potential marketing angles for bug-based proteins.

The hosts mock the poor audio and video quality of "at-home" broadcasts by celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa, suggesting it is a form of "virtue signaling." They discuss the 27% spike in Kraft Macaroni & Cheese sales as people turn to comfort foods. This trend is compared to "depression food" memes from the 2008 financial crisis.

Heinz announces plans to make its packaging recyclable by 2025, which the hosts dismiss as virtue signaling. They also discuss a documentary about a woman who successfully campaigned to ban plastic water bottles in Concord, Massachusetts, and briefly mention a gaffe by Governor Andrew Cuomo regarding American greatness.

Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway partnered with 3G Capital to acquire Kraft, merging it with Heinz to create a global food giant. The stock price spiked 33% following the announcement, validating previous predictions regarding the rise of "depression foods" like macaroni and cheese. The hosts suggest that investors could benefit from tracking these cultural and economic trends discussed on the program.

Adam Curry shares an anecdote about an advertising agency asking him to participate in a fake legal battle over "Heinz Curry Ketchup" to generate news coverage. He uses this to illustrate how reality TV and modern celebrity are manufactured by PR firms. John C. Dvorak also recalls a past media controversy involving a column he wrote for the San Francisco Examiner about Seattle.

Heinz announced a new ketchup recipe featuring 15% less salt to comply with new health guidelines, a move mirrored by companies like Starbucks and Subway. Questions are raised regarding why these companies focus on salt reduction rather than removing high fructose corn syrup from their products.

Reports indicate that some commercial honey is being adulterated with high fructose corn syrup, which can be identified when the substances begin to separate. Dvorak shares an anecdote about inspecting a Del Monte ketchup factory and discusses the health risks associated with corn syrup, including its potential link to adult-onset diabetes.