In 1971, a microbiologist, a meteorologist, a chemist, and two scientists from Ralph Nader’s Center for the Study of Responsive Law founded the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI was formed as a non-profit organization that monitored food safety standards and advocated for safer foods.
In the early days, CSPI focussed on environmental protection and renewable sources of energy. Later on, when two of the founders left the organization, it turned its focus to food and alcohol safety. Over the years, CSPI changed the dynamics of nutrition and food safety worldwide. It encouraged healthy foods in restaurants and made sure that the restaurants followed guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration. CSPI played a major role in bringing up the matter of high amounts of saturated fats found in popcorn in cinemas. It was also the organization that led the campaigns against trans fats found in fast foods.
One of the most well-known campaigns led by the CSPI was National Food Day. This day was created to raise awareness about nutrition and food safety, and also as a step towards eradicating hunger. Ensuring that antibiotics used on farm animals are regulated was also one of the goals of creating this day. Clearer food labeling was also an emphasis.
In Canada, Food Day is more of a culinary celebration that originated from the celebration of “The World’s Longest BBQ”. The main intention of creating National Food Day was however to encourage people to eat healthier, whole foods like vegetables, whole grain, and protein-rich food instead of processed food and drinks. Campaigns and events are organized mostly in New York, Washington D.C., and also in thousands of schools in the nation.
According to nationaltoday.com. Source of photo: internet
