Lessons

Ultimately, I believe that a food company does not want to be held entirely responsible for its consumers. It is important for a consumer to trust your company, but in analyzing these examples, I've found what I believe to be several key lessons for companies in transitioning responsibility from the corporation to the consumer.

1. Give consumers options and resources.
Taco Bell did a wonderful job at this objective. By providing an alternative, low-fat menu, along with exercise tips and outside links, the consumer cannot paint the company as entirely self-serving.

2. Educate your consumers.
The Corn Refiners Association campaign for high fructose corn syrup was all about education and encouraged consumers to dispel the myths and gossip, instead discovering the true facts about their product. By not talking down to their consumer, but instead, empowering them and giving them access to information, as a consumer, I feel like many of the association's cards were on the table, and I am more willing to trust them.

3. Don't tell them what to do.
In the case of San Francisco mandating "Meatless Mondays," mandating a specific form of health is a sure way to stir up controversy. If there had been some kind of incentive to participate, I believe that would have been a better option; however, by only using negative reinforcement, a person's liberty (or at least confidence ordering a burger) is taken away.

Ultimately, responsibility comes down to the individual. You can either jump off the bridge along with your friends and endure the consequences, or instead, take what information food companies have provided us, do a little research if needed, and make a personal decision for yourself.