Center for Science in the Public Interest

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The '''Center for Science in the Public Interest''' (CSPI) is a consumer organization which undertakes research and advocacy programs, as well as providing consumers with information about health and well-being.

In 2010, they won a class-action suit against Coca-Cola, to have their misleading statements regarding Vitamin Water removed.<ref>[http://consumerist.com/2010/07/vitaminwater-isnt-healthy-rules-federal-judge.html Vitamin water isn't healthy, rules Federal judge]</ref>

Their three main goals are:
{{cquote|
* To provide useful, objective information to the public and policymakers and to conduct research on food, [[alcohol]], health, the environment, and other issues related to science and technology;
* To represent the citizen's interests before regulatory, judicial and legislative bodies on food, alcohol, health, the environment, and other issues; and
* To ensure that science and technology are used for the public good and to encourage scientists to engage in public-interest activities.}}

== Food restriction advocacy ==

CSPI sees certain food ingredients as harmful, at least in the quantities that they're consumed in the developed world. They advocate government limits on those food ingredients. The three food items they seek limits on most fervently are:

* [[salt]];<ref>[http://www.cspinet.org/salt/ Salt: The Forgotten Killer]</ref>
* sugary drinks, for which they advocate a tax;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cspinet.org/new/200909301.html|title=Taxing Soda Could Trim State Deficits (and Waistlines), Says Report|date=2010-04-01}}</ref><ref>Whether they'll expand their advocacy to a tax on ''all'' added sugars, in light of [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db122.htm this May 2013 CDC press release] which states that "Foods contributed 67% of calories from added sugars compared with 33% from beverages" in adults, remains to be seen.</ref> and
* [[trans fat]], for which they seek an outright ban.<ref>http://www.cspinet.org/transfat/about.html</ref>

CSPI's stance on ''trans'' fat represents a reversal of their position from the early 1990s.  Before evidence of ''trans'' fat's unhealthfulness became available, CSPI advocated replacing the lard and tallow used for frying in fast food restaurants with partially hydrogenated oils, on the grounds of lowering the American intake of saturated fats.<ref>Enig, Mary. [http://www.westonaprice.org/know-your-fats/the-tragic-legacy-of-center-for-science-in-the-public-interest-cspi/ The Tragic Legacy of Center for Science in the Public Interest]. Weston A. Price Foundation: January 6, 2003.</ref>

CSPI has also petitioned the U.S. [[FDA]] to ban synthetic [[food dye]]s.<ref>http://www.cspinet.org/fooddyes/</ref><ref>[http://www.examiner.com/article/cspi-on-food-coloring-a-pointless-warning CSPI on food coloring: a pointless warning], examiner.com, 13-May-2014</ref> A 2012 meta-analysis concluded that synthetic food dyes ''may'' have an effect on ADHD, but that a conclusion could not be drawn due to small sample sizes and publication bias.<ref>J.T. Nigg et al., [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22176942 Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives], ''Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry'', vol. 51 no. 1 (January 2012), pp. 86-97</ref>

Other food items CSPI has opposed include:
* [[aspartame]]<ref>[http://www.cspinet.org/new/200706251.html FDA Should Reconsider Aspartame Cancer Risk, Say Experts]</ref>
* [[nitrites]]<ref>[http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#nitrites Chemical Cuisine: Learn about Food Additives]</ref>
* caramel color<ref>[http://www.cspinet.org/new/201102161.html FDA Urged to Prohibit Carcinogenic "Caramel Coloring"]</ref>
* azodicarbonamide,<ref>[http://www.cspinet.org/new/201402041.html FDA Should Ban Azodicarbonamide, Says CSPI]</ref> [[FoodBabe]]'s infamous yoga mat chemical

==External links==
*[http://www.cspinet.org/index.html CSPI Homepage]
* [http://www.cspiscam.com/ CSPI scam], a site critical of CSPI, run by people with just as big of an axe to grind as CSPI themselves
* [http://reason.com/archives/2003/07/01/the-anti-pleasure-principle The Anti-Pleasure Principle], from [[Reason.com]], 1-July-2003

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Organizations]]

Categories: Food, Organizations