I just saw a Panera commerical.

[Eko]

That said "since when did mixing not food with food become cool" Seriously, the stupidity is killing me. I have lost most hope for humanity. smh.
Edit: I will expand since I think this is a small part of what is really wrong with America.

Salt.
Salt is not a food. We have been adding this since forever and a bit longer. But stupidity has been the norm for us for a while. Reality shows, republicans, entertainment, beliefs that go against science, being stupid. Falling for stupid things that make no sense whatsoever. I should just cast some spells, more people would listen.

[JenniferJuniper]

1. I hate their commercials...the "clean food coming soon" ones

last year were bizarre. So let me get this straight. Your food is currently not "clean" but will be soon?

argh

[woolldog]

8. You really don't know

what they mean by "clean" food?

[JenniferJuniper]

11. It sounds stupid in a commercial.

And no one likes being lectured to by a 12 year old.

Their ads are as annoying as they come.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. not watching TV for 8 years has been reinvigorating.

I blame TV for a good part of what's been happening in the country for a long time.

[susanna]

13. I agree with you. I cut it out about ten years ago.

I still manage to stay aware of current events without banging my head against the stupid every five minutes.

I watch occasional PBS special series, or movies via DVD, but the vast majority of the time the TV is silent. And the older I get, the more I like that silence. It gives me time to think.

on edit: subject needed adjusting lol...I did not cut it out completely since I still watch movies

[milestogo]

3. Aren't they replacing service workers with iPads?

[opiate69]

4. "Salt is not a food"???

food
[fo͞od]
NOUN
any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth:

Salt is a dietary mineral essential for animal life, composed primarily of sodium chloride. Salt flavor is one of the basic tastes, and salt is the most popular food seasoning.

[Eko]

5. So,

Is water a food? Niacin, Iron?

[Eko]

6. magnesium, potassium, calcium, chlorine,???

[Eko]

7. So I just named 7 different things

that by your definition is food. Eat only those things for 30 days and tell me about it afterwards. A banana is food, I could eat that and water for 30 days and be fine, mostly, I would need a lot of tp though.

[opiate69]

10. "My definition"...

It's really not mine...

Oxford: "food (fo͞od)
n.
1. Material, especially carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, that an organism uses for energy, growth, and maintaining the processes of life. Plants, algae, and some bacteria make their own food through photosynthesis, while animals and most other organisms obtain food by consuming other organisms or organic matter.

Merriam-Webster: "Definition of food
1
a : material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy; also : such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) <drought victims who don't have enough food to eat>"

Medical Dictionary: food [fo̳d]
a nourishing substance that is eaten or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, or promote growth.

Really, it's not that complicated.

[Eko]

12. Its your definiton because you include salt.

Material, especially carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, that an organism uses for energy, growth, and maintaining the processes of life.
material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth,
such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins,
SMH.

[Fast Walker 52]

25. you're being pedantic

most people include salt as a food item. I don't see the big problem.

[Eko]

9. I think the part that you are skipping over is

"nutritious". Def. providing nourishment, especially to a high degree; nourishing; healthful:
Salt is not nutritious at all. It is a dietary mineral, not a dietary food.

[marybourg]

14. Well. . .

dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/nutritious

nutritious definition, meaning, what is nutritious: containing many of the substances needed for life and growth: .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salt, or sodium chloride, is necessary for the human body. It helps to control fluid balance and the functioning of the muscles and the nerves. The human body regulates how much salt it contains. If levels are too high, we get thirsty and drink, and this speeds up the elimination of salt through our kidneys

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146677.php

[Motown_Johnny]

15. They are clearly referring to artificial additives and preservatives.

I like the commercials. I think it helps raise awareness of some of the crap that Americans have in their diet. If their marketing scheme is to promote healthier eating then more power to them. I am not crazy about the "clean" food phrasing but I bet focus groups approved of it.


Here is another commercial which might make their approach a little clearer:

Just as background, I have an AOS from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY and was in the restaurant business for over 25 years before getting out.

Anything that helps Americans choose healthier food is a good thing, trust me.

[Humanist_Activist]

17. Basically marketing crap that's largely meaningless, for example, they mention not having...

MSG in their food, good luck with that, its a naturally occurring amino acid that's produced in the body, and is present in meat and many vegetables and fruits. In addition, unlike with sugar, there's no clinically significant reactions in the body to overconsuming MSG in your diet. One of the few things you probably can have in excess without harm.

The problem with HFCS is that its a sugar and we already consume an abundance of that, as long as they don't substitute it for table sugar as if that were healthier, fine.

The "no artificial additives" part is interesting, they don't list what additives they do use, nor what is substituted for what in the food. Not to mention that many artificial additives are chemically identical to natural counterparts, but are a LOT cheaper, for example, Vanillin.

[Motown_Johnny]

21. The MSG referred to is an artificial additive and is unnecessary.

Yes MSG does occur naturally, but that is just confusing the issue. There is sodium in bananas but eating a banana and putting sodium on your banana are two different things.

Yes HFCS is a sugar but it is a sugar which we do not metabolize easily. To claim that it is the same as consuming sucrose, lactose or even common fructose is simply wrong.


I wouldn't get to excited about Vanillin:

Vanillin is a vanilla extract alternative made from wood pulp. It is commonly used to reduce production costs. And, unlike real vanilla extract which is produced from real vanilla beans, vanillin is synthetic and may be produced using petrochemicals and byproducts from the paper industry. Unfortunately, because it’s cheap, the stuff is everywhere. Vanilla flavored over-the-counter medicines, beverages, and cookies are all places you’re likely to find vanillin.



I know it isn't that bad for you, but why not just use actual vanilla? OK, so it costs a little more. Unless you are running a factory producing vanilla wafers it isn't that big a deal.



As for things they don't use.. have you also seen the recent Subway commercials? They stopped using azodicarbonamide even though most (if not all) other fast food restaurants still use it.

Again, I support this movement. Any move toward healthier food in the American diet is a good thing. If Panera wants to be a leader in this, an market it's food that way, I say more power to them.

[Humanist_Activist]

24. You do realize there's a load of difference between elemental sodium and sodium that we consume...

in foods, right?

There is no comparison to either MSG or Vanillin, regardless of source, they are chemically identical to what is extracted from the Vanilla bean or is already present in organisms.

And yes, I'm aware that Subway bowed to pressure from the "Food Babe" and her followers, her ignorant rantings on pretty much everything are a hoot if you want to look at them on youtube.

You want people to eat healthy? Have them eat balanced diets with a variety of whole foods while minimizing consumption of processed foods, keeping in mind caloric and sugar restrictions, as recommended by most doctors. Focusing on what amounts to nothing isn't helpful except to create a false impression that certain types of foods are "healthier" than others due to additives. Unless we are talking about true food allergies, for most of the population, this shouldn't be a major concern.

[nikibatts]

16. The Panera shops in my area employ a very diverse staff including physically challenged workers.

"Clean" means additive free to me. Their food is excellent and their service is outstanding. They stay busy and employ a lot of workers so I am a fan.

[Motown_Johnny]

18. They also donate unsold bread and baked goods as well as having nonprofit cafes.

There are only a couple in my area so I don't get in there as often as I would like, but I am a supporter.

I think the OP here is way off base. It seems like just arguing semantics to me.



https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/en_us/community/community-giving.html

^snip^


Day-End Dough-Nation™

At the end of each day, our bakery-cafes package unsold bread and baked goods to donate to local hunger relief and charitable organizations.


Panera Gives

We support events held by non-profit organizations serving those in need by donating a certificate or fresh bakery products.


Scrip Fundraising

We proudly participate in the Scrip fundraising program, helping nonprofit organizations raise money.


Panera Cares—Four Years Later

Four years ago, the Panera Bread Foundation opened its first nonprofit community cafe with a simple goal: feeding those in need with dignity. Now five locations strong, the program is taking a bite out of food insecurity.


September Is Hunger Action Month™

All month long, Panera Bread® is encouraging action to address the pervasive problem of hunger in the United States.

[nikibatts]

28. Yes, I forgot about that. They have been good to our Altrusa organization also.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. I Also Hate The Baby Talk Voice The Narrator Uses

And i also hate their salad dressings. The salads are good, but the dressings are dreadfully sweet.

[Humanist_Activist]

20. Disagree with you on the salt, but having found Panera's youtube channel, they seem to relish...

in pseudo-skeptical, science denying marketing for no better reason than that is what sells for their chosen market.

Just saw a "clean food" ad, still don't know what the fuck that's about. Its marketing to sell a product to people who are "health conscious" by feeding off their ignorance in chemistry and biology. I would say its harmless, but I guess it depends on how far they will go.

If I wanted to support another local company, its Lion's choice. BTW, still not used to the St. Louis Bread Company calling itself Panera.

[rug]

22. This thread has become more annoying than the commercial.

[obamanut2012]

23. Snarking about Panera is odd to me -- they are trying

A few years ago, they started phasing in natural, organic, locally-sourced food, and phasing out the opposite. Some people have complained because their menu has gotten smaller and a teeny bit more expensive. They are educating their customers, and also marketing themselves to bring in more customers who, like me, rarely eat out, but when I do, I will go to a healthyish fast-casual place like Panera.

My nephew worked PT for them while in college, and was treated okay. He liked the working conditions better than Starbucks.

[Humanist_Activist]

26. Looking at their commercials, they seem to be waging what amounts to a disinformation campaign...

while lauding their, as yet clearly defined "clean food".

For example, there's no excuse for these dishonestly protrayed ads:

There are plenty of chemicals present in both Apples and Potatoes that I'm sure an 8 year old would have difficulty pronouncing much less visualizing. Surprised they didn't mention the all-natural cyanide that is present in apples.

[tavernier]

27. Talked me into it - Back to McDonalds.

Screw the place that puts some thought into healthier fast food eating. Big-Big Mac and super size my fries.