Does Sugar Make Us Fat
The BBC1 covered a programme if there is a Conspiracy Theory on Diet (Date 1 March 2010). Diversity and complexity course theme is compared and contrasted.
In the report all major sugar companies in UK including Tate Lyle formed `Sugar Lobby Group`, it influenced powerful stakeholders like government, other organisations in order to promote sugar. Pfeffer and Salancik`s organisational interdependency theory is relevant because the sugar lobby goup negotiated their environment to rally political actions and get legitimacy.
The sugar lobby group better known as Sugar Bureau promoted high sugar level in foods. According to a nutritionist who was interviewed, if sugar is eaten in excess it builds up fat on the belly, it can cause diabetes and obesity.
The sugar Bureau did not comment but emailed to BBC stating that scientific research (quantitative information)shows no link between sugar and obesity.
The Minister for Public Health was interviewed, she stated that supermarkets have a duty to label in a standard format. The Minister further said that “consumer have the buying power (Peer Production) and it is important that they are really careful in what they eat”. This remark reinforces the system thinking theory that organisations need to have a positive relationship with stakeholders.
The Minister was asked if she was aware that a Burger King was opened in a NHS hospital.
She replied NHS has high values to promote good health and there will be no more Burger Kings opening again in hospitals.
My observations is that Department for Public Health is a government agency, very complex and diverse, responsible for public health policies and monitoring VFM (theory and practice) patient charter. It will make mistakes but it must learn from mistakes.
Ayna Miah