Salt Sugar Fat

How the Food Giants Hooked Us

By: Michael Moss

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY
The Atlantic • The Huffington Post • Men’s Journal • MSN (U.K.) • Kirkus Reviews • Publishers Weekly

NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • WINNER OF THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION AWARD FOR WRITING AND LITERATURE

From a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at The New York Times comes the explosive story of the rise of the processed food industry and its link to the emerging obesity epidemic. Michael Moss reveals how companies use salt, sugar, and fat to addict us and, more important, how we can fight back.

In the spring of 1999, the heads of the world’s largest processed food companies gathered at Pillsbury headquarters in Minneapolis for a secret meeting. On the agenda: the emerging epidemic of obesity, and what to do about it.

Increasingly, the salt-, sugar-, and fat-laden foods these companies produced were being linked to obesity, and a concerned Kraft executive took the stage to issue a warning: There would be a day of reckoning unless changes were made. When he was done, the most powerful person in the room - the CEO of General Mills - stood up to speak, clearly annoyed. And by the time he sat down, the meeting was over.

In Salt Sugar Fat, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter Michael Moss shows how we got here. Featuring examples from some of the most recognizable (and profitable) companies and brands of the last half century - including Kraft, Coca-Cola, Lunchables, Kellogg, Nestlé, Oreos, Cargill, Capri Sun, and many more - Moss’ explosive, empowering narrative is grounded in meticulous, often eye-opening research.

Includes a bonus PDF with endnotes from the book

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Michael Moss (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"What happens when one of the country’s great investigative reporters infiltrates the most disastrous cartel of modern times: a processed food industry that’s making a fortune by slowly poisoning an unwitting population? You get this terrific, powerfully written book, jammed with startling disclosures, jaw-dropping confessions and, importantly, the charting of a path to a better, healthier future. This book should be read by anyone who tears a shiny wrapper and opens wide. That’s all of us." (Ron Suskind, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Confidence Men: Wall Street, Washington, and the Education of a President)

"In this meticulously researched book, Michael Moss tells the chilling story of how the food giants have seduced everyone in this country. He understands a vital and terrifying truth: that we are not just eating fast food when we succumb to the siren song of sugar, fat, and salt. We are fundamentally changing our lives - and the world around us.” (Alice Waters)

Valuable info for Everyone!

What made the experience of listening to Salt Sugar Fat the most enjoyable?

Scott Brick Narration of course, smoothly giving the info with the right tone and inflections.

Who was your favorite character and why?

no characters, unless you count the corporate 'think' exposed here, and the need to be vigilant in your purchasing choices!

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

yes.... but novel only, this was a first non-fiction listen for me, and again he is amazing!

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Even the corporate bigwigs won't buy their own stuff for their families..... seriously!

Any additional comments?

A lot of info, and even if you only absorb a small amount, it will be a beneficial listen! I can see a second listen in my future on this one.....

very insightful

thoroughly researched, awesome and frightening insights on the processed food industry and our complicit government. really drives home the point that you have to look out for yourself.

Simply Brilliant

Brilliant book about the state of "food" in America and a very compelling listen. One of the most well written and well performed non -fiction books I have ever read. Also, whether on accident or on purpose, this is one of the best and easiest to understand pieces of writing on the fact that a free market economy in the US is a fallacy.

Fantastic

Great book! Well researched and highly recommended. Author interviews vast numbers of insiders in the food industry and come away with a complete view of processed food in the US

Money over Health

Story's told by the author hold your interest well and the "wake up message", is clear. Only you and your family can learn to eat better. The processors and distribstors of what is called food have too much money at stake.

This book changed my life

Oh wow, I learned so much. I will never look at a grocery store the same way again. I am already inputting what I have learned into my daily life.

You will never look at processed food the same way

Where does Salt Sugar Fat rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the most informative books I've read thus far, very eye opening.

What did you like best about this story?

Very interesting story telling

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was going to be a nutritional type of book, but it turned out to be a book about how the industry giants create foods, processed foods ... profit is driving them, not health of consumers. We all know that to some extent, but having someone lay out the facts brings to light how horribly unhealthy foods many of us eat are ... a must read for anyone who is concerned about their health. I think I'll be listening to it again real soon. Am now listening to the China Study and that is amazing as well!!

No Shocker: Food Companies Seek Profits.

Wonderfully researched and well-written, but not the shocker that Fast Food Nation was for some. What Moss shows us is not surprising: profit drives the food processing giants, not concern about its customer's long-term health.

The most disturbing idea here is that the heavy doses of salt, sugar, and fat repeatedly delivered to children may alter their sense of what food should taste like....And, these children eventually grow up into adults who will only be satisfied by foods pumped with unnatural amounts of salt, sugar, and fat.

Must read !!!

This is one of the best gifts you can give to your love ones. Truly eye opening and I am grateful for the extensive researches the author did.

Stories from Big Food Companies

If your looking for a book to help you make better dietary choices, i would look elsewhere. If you are interested in tales of corporate hoodwinking and silver tongued ad men, then youve come to the right place. Its a lengthy read but it really nails home how pervasive the unhealthy pleasure triggers are in so many of the prepared foods we buy.