Posted by paulabernstein on May 18th, 2010 at 10:35 am

Is it possible to produce a healthy Pop Tart?

Kellogg’s is going to try to do just that.

A low calorie “healthier” version of some of your favorite junk foods could be available in the next few years.

As part of her “Let’s Move” campaign to fight childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama announced yesterday that food and beverage manufacturers have agreed to cut 1.5 trillion calories from food and drink products by 2015. They’re aiming to cut the first 1 trillion by 2012, according to the Associated Press.

“This is precisely the kind of private sector commitment we need,” said Mrs. Obama, who launched her ”Let’s Move” anti-obesity campaign earlier this year.

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a coalition of retailers, food and beverage manufacturers and industry trade associations, formed the agreement with a group of nonprofit organizations concerned with childhood obesity.

Fearful about the possibility of raising food taxes and other potential anti-obesity measures (such as a soda tax), major food companies have backed the first lady’s efforts and agreed to make their foods healthier (or at least lower in calories).

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation has more than 80 members, including General Mills Inc., ConAgra Foods Inc., Kraft Foods Inc., General Mills, Kellogg Co., Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc. and Hershey Co. In order to attain their goal, the companies plan to introduce lower calorie products, revamp product recipes, and reduce portions.

In a speech to an industry association in March, Mrs. Obama urged the food industry to speed up efforts to produce healthier foods and reduce marketing of unhealthy foods to children.

“This isn’t about finding creative ways to market products as healthy,” Mrs. Obama said in March. “It’s about producing products that actually are healthy — products that can help shape the health habits of an entire generation.”

This is great news. Now maybe Mrs. Obama can convince food companies to stop marketing junk food to kids in the first place. I know that my kids are more likely to want to eat food anything with a picture of Barbie on it. Maybe it’s time Barbie endorsed fruits and vegetables.

Source: http://blogs.babble.com/strollerderby/2010/05/18/pepsi-coke-kelloggs-and-others-vow-to-cut-calories/