Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Who's Really in Charge at the Supermarket?

posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday July 15 2015, @06:42PM   Printer-friendly
from the illusion-of-choice dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

Shoppers like to think they're in control of their own food decisions, but there's actually a complex web of manipulations between supermarkets and food processors going on behind the scenes.

Who's really in charge at the supermarket? Most of us assume that we're in control of our own shopping decisions. After all, we are the ones with a grocery list in one hand and a wallet in the other. It should be that way. But the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) doesn't believe it's so. Most shoppers, even the most conscientious and frugal, can fall victim to the manipulations of a food industry that pairs up with supermarkets to influence our purchasing decisions.
...
1) Unconscious Mind

Our unconscious minds rely on habit and what's deemed comfortable and familiar to us. Supermarkets use tools such as windowless buildings, forgettable music, large carts, scrumptious bakery smells, and constantly reorganized aisles to make shoppers stay longer and, by extension, spend more.
...
2) Defaults

Defaults are what you get at the supermarket, unless you actively choose something else. This can be packaging size, product formulations, or standard food combinations.
...
3) Willpower Reserves

Supermarkets and food processors count on the fact that many of us will go shopping at the end of a long day, perhaps on the way home from work, or with tired, hungry kids in tow. That's when it's hardest to rely on willpower reserves.

It must explain why Cheetos constantly show up in the shopping cart.

Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Who's Really in Charge at the Supermarket? | Log In/Create an Account | Top | 102 comments | Search Discussion
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.

  • (Score: 1) by PocketSizeSUn on Thursday July 16 2015, @10:03PM

    by PocketSizeSUn (5340) on Thursday July 16 2015, @10:03PM (#210184)

    Once the product is 'opened' the date is of little value.

    Basically the product (milk for example) is pasteurized and packed starting with a
    very low bacteria count.

    This gives a long and predictable shelf life.

    Once the package is opened the bacteria count starts to explode. The more oxygen exposure and
    higher temperature the bigger the count becomes until it eventually goes sour and then starts to clot.

    So you can have an un-opened cold stored package be good long past the 'expiration' date, however
    you will have to finish the contents much faster as you started with a much higher bacteria count.