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)

great book

loved even more the second time. It is very in depth and in formative on every issue.

What everyone needs to understand about food indus

My undergraduate degree is in food science so my perspective was one of nodding the head while hearing the narration. I am also a surgeon who daily sees the ravages of diabetic disease (of which junk food plays a major role) , so I don't see this book as an extreme attempt to get people to be vegetarians. The narrator does a decent job narrating a non dialogue non dramatic work. I think this author did his homework in interviewing multiple food industry insiders. There is a mix of how the business side and the food science side interact. Bottom Line: the food industry is like other industries- it is in business to make a profit and they do this by producing foods that will sell. The premise is that salt, sugar, and fat are the 3 prime tools that are used to exploit the natural tendency to over-indulge in tasty foods; not unlike "Hollywood's" use of sex, violence, and non stop action to exploit our other senses- at our expense, and their profit. Comprehending this reality of business in many of the major industries could make us more wise, conscientious, and certainly more healthy "consumers".

Hard Knowledge

A little dry at times, riddled with facts, but well worth the time taken to read or listen. You'll never see the grocery isle the same way again.

I'll never drink another Coke

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

I did not get bored. I backed it up if I thought I missed something. It moved quickly. Very interesting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Salt Sugar Fat?

It's just an expose. It doesn't sound like the author is really slamming all of these companies it is exposing, it just feels like you are privy to being there at every private meeting among the money grabbers. They don't care about humanity, in my opinion. They care about money. It's a free country. They can do that. But this book has equipped me with some insight to see what they are doing, and not fall victim to it. It's eye opening. It will help me feed myself and my family more thoughtfully, not that I have ever been one to gorge myself with any of this fast food stuff, Fritos, Hot Pockets, etc., but it seems that even the stuff you think might not be so bad, is so bad. I've heard it, but it didn't register. Now I don't feel so stupid for falling into their grip. They have many scientists who have figured out the best way to "hook" the best of us. We all have free choice. This book is going to help me make better choices.

interesting - subtitle is more telling of content

This book is less of a view on the nutrition implications of salt, sugar, and fat than a recounting of interesting anecdotes from the manufacturing of food. very interesting though

Opened my eyes to the food industry

This is such an eye opening book. I never really thought about how processed food came about until I read this and how each food item was so carefully designed to take my money and destroy my health. Incredible and a must read.

Eyeopening!

Any additional comments?

Although at times repetitive, the data presented in this book is astounding and eyeopening! How did our country and our kids come to be hooked on salt, sugar, and fat-laden convenience foods? It wasn't by chance! And the most shocking thing is that the GOVERNMENT has helped the food giants all along the way. Well worth the listen!

Informative and cleverly performed

This book really explains the background of processed food. 😞 The woes and the achievements in making it irresistible. It explains how they use each of the three key ingredients to make processed food addictive to the brain and body like drugs. I'm definitely going to relisten to this book several times.

Everyone Should Read This!

Would you listen to Salt Sugar Fat again? Why?

Yes, this needs to be listened to again to make note of the foods to stay away from, the ones that have absolutely no food value, but just junk.

What did you like best about this story?

I find the research and facts found are compelling and some alarming. I should not be surprised, but the giant food manufacturers have no shame in trying to get us to buy total junk for our children. Shame! And our society wonders why Johnny can't read and our learning scores low.
This book has made me pay more attention to food labels. It is amazing how much sugar is in our processed foods. I will never have another soda as long as I live, ick. This book is EYE-OPENING.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Food Bliss Will Kill You

Any additional comments?

This book should be handed out along with pregnancy/baby guides to all new parents.

Good Info

Loved the narration; very clear, very well done.
The writing style was factual and easy to follow, no superfluous review, lots of information, everything was laid out in a logical fashion.
I had trouble getting right to the end as it is (seemed to me!) fairly long, but it was well worth it!
I recommend this read :)