{"id":8501,"date":"2017-02-25T14:47:48","date_gmt":"2017-02-25T19:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.foodmedcenter.org\/?p=8501"},"modified":"2022-08-11T13:06:41","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T17:06:41","slug":"interview-michael-jacobson-co-founder-center-science-public-interest-cspi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/interview-michael-jacobson-co-founder-center-science-public-interest-cspi\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Michael Jacobson, Co-founder of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1971 Michael Jacobson, Ph.D., along with two other scientists, founded the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). \u00a0The Center\u2019s <\/span>missions are to \u201cconduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and to provide consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being.\u201d <\/span>Dr. Jacobson who holds a doctorate in microbiology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been the Center\u2019s Executive Director for nearly four decades. He is now resigning this post to take on the role of Chief Scientist. <\/span><\/p>\n

He was one of the originators of the current food movement and is responsible for many nutrition advocacy programs including \u00a0the \u00a0campaign to put Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods as well as finding and highlighting the nutrient content of movie theater popcorn as foods at Chinese, Italian, Mexican, and chain restaurants. \u00a0While Dr. Jacobson and his organization are often referred to as the \u201cfood police\u201d or \u201cfood nanny\u201d — he moves on, knowing he\u2019s fighting the good fight. \u00a0\u00a0I was able to conduct an email interview with Dr. Jacobson. <\/span><\/p>\n

Charles Platkin (CP): Michael, thank you so much for doing this interview. I guess the first question I would have for you is how and why did you started the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)? What was your motivation or trigger?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: When I was in grad school in the late \u201960s, Boston\u2014and MIT in particular\u2014was a hotbed of anti-war activities. \u00a0After I got my Ph.D., I decided to postpone doing post-doctoral research for a year while I tried to find a way to use my scientific background to improve government policies and rein in corporate excesses. \u00a0I ended up volunteering for a year with Ralph Nader and his Center for the Study of Responsive Law, and, by chance, I was told to write a book (<\/span>Eater\u2019s Digest<\/span><\/i>) about food additives\u2026and that evolved into concerns about nutrition (<\/span>Nutrition Scoreboard<\/span><\/i>). \u00a0I liked the work so much that two other scientists and I decided to leave Nader and start a public-interest organization that would work on health and environmental issues and encourage other scientists to do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: CSPI has been called the food police. Do you wear that designation as a “badge\u201d of honor, or do you have an issue with it? Can you please explain?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: I chuckle at the term \u201cfood police,\u201d but we see ourselves more as food detectives. \u00a0We try to find and expose miscreant food marketers and then stop their abuses.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: CSPI\u2019s work has significantly impacted the food system–helping to reduce sodium in restaurants, decreasing junk food marketing to children, and leading the efforts to win passage of laws that require<\/span> Nutrition Facts<\/span><\/a> on packaged foods, to name a few. Is there a particular aspect of your work that you are particularly proud of? And what are your plans for the coming year?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: On a general level, I\u2019m proud that we at CSPI have always sought to base our opinions and positions on science. \u00a0We don\u2019t mindlessly follow \u201cpolitically correct\u201d positions (high-fructose corn syrup is worse than sugar; ingredients from genetically modified crops are dangerous; all additives are harmful, etc.). \u00a0And we recognize that \u201cthe dose makes the poison.\u201d \u00a0More specifically, I\u2019m proud that CSPI was the first to evaluate the evidence and then wage policy campaigns to ban partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans fat), ban unsafe food additives (Violet 1, sulfites, olestra, \u201cmycoprotein,\u201d etc.), reduce sodium consumption, improve school foods, and reduce consumption of soda pop and sugar. \u00a0We haven\u2019t totally prevailed on all of those issues, but it\u2019s remarkable how much of a difference our small organization has made.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: We have a lot of scary nutrition issues facing us in the United States and the world. If you had to pick one issue to be most concerned about what would it be?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: In the United States, salt. \u00a0Cutting sodium consumption in half would save tens of thousands of lives per year in the United States. \u00a0On the other hand, there has been no real progress on a more subtle issue: increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. \u00a0Globally, an enormous challenge is to halt the westernization of traditional diets, especially as the fast-food and soft-drink industries invest billions of dollars annually in low\/middle-income countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: CSPI has used litigation many times in order to achieve a food-system change and to force companies to behave in a certain way. Do you see litigation as an important tool for food policy advocates? Should it be used more often?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: The courts provide a relatively fair venue to bring about change, unlike Congress and the executive branch, where political considerations so often carry the day. \u00a0We\u2019ve had good success in stopping unfair and deceptive marketing practices by such major companies as PepsiCo, Campbell, Sara Lee, Coca-Cola, and others. \u00a0However, litigation is limited in that successes generally force changes by just one company and sometimes just one product or marketing practice. \u00a0In contrast, laws and regulations affect entire industries. \u00a0Sometimes, though, litigation against one or several companies can change broader industry practices. \u00a0For instance, our threatened lawsuit against Kellogg for marketing junk foods to kids led not just to Kellogg\u2019s improving its practices but to many other companies\u2019 improving theirs as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: From what I understand, one of your major sources of income for the nonprofit CSPI is from subscriptions to the <\/span>Nutrition Action Healthletter<\/span><\/i> (which, by the way, does an incredible job of moving the advocacy needle). As information transitions from print to the web and has been flowing so freely, how do you see food journalism changing and creating the kind of impact that CSPI has had in the past. Also, in terms of fundraising, how and what is the future for CSPI?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Thanks for your praise for <\/span>Nutrition Action<\/span><\/i>, which, indeed, has been a major source of revenue. \u00a0But now that everything is moving to the Web, we are making changes, such as having a digital edition of <\/span>Nutrition Action<\/span><\/i> and starting a Website (NutritionAction.com) that enables people to receive a flow of emailed health tips (and \u201copportunities\u201d to buy publications). \u00a0We are also increasing our efforts to obtain foundation grants and philanthropic donations.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Do you have any thoughts about how social media can be used to influence food policy change and food advocacy? Is CSPI exploring ways to do this? \u00a0Any examples? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: CSPI certainly uses social media in particular and the Web more generally to press for change. \u00a0For instance, our Change.org petition calling for Mars to stop using dyes in M&Ms contributed to their decision to begin replacing dyes in all of their foods with natural (or no) colorings. \u00a0People who want to sue companies contact us via one of our listservs. \u00a0Our ssb-listserv and sodium-listserv serve as great ways for activists concerned about sugar drinks and salt to communicate and coordinate activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: There are several campaigns\/videos\/apps that stand out to me \u2013 The Real Bears video, which, by the way, makes me cry every time I show it to my students (my dad recently had his leg amputated because of diabetes); Food Day; the Chinese and movie-theater-popcorn investigations; and Chemical Cuisine. \u00a0Can you share some of your future campaigns that are in a similar vein?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Sorry, but neither the FBI nor the food detectives talk about their ongoing investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Who and what influenced your thoughts about food and the food system?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Grassroots activists and Ralph Nader taught me something about educating the public. Nader taught me some of the tools of the trade for influencing federal regulations, my scientific background keeps me focused on evidence, and litigators taught me the strengths and limits of lawsuits.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: What is the one policy change at the local (or state or federal) level that you believe would have the greatest impact on health and food?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: No one federal policy would revolutionize our diet, but some top priorities would include (a) limiting sodium levels in packaged foods, (b) limiting the sugar content in beverages or levying a stiff soda tax, (c) subsidizing the purchase of fruits and vegetables. \u00a0I\u2019m skeptical that the Trump administration and\/or Republican Congress would do any of that, but public-health advocates certain should push at the local\/state level for such things as soda taxes, warning notices on soft drinks, \u201chigh-sodium\u201d icons for chain-restaurant meals, nutrition standards for kids meals at restaurants, and warning notices on foods made with artificial colorings. \u00a0Policies at the local and state levels sometimes percolate up into national policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: What was your breakfast this morning?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: a couple of clementines, a bowl of steel-cut oatmeal, a third of a pumpernickel bagel, and a cup of tea with a teaspoon of sugar (horrors!)<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: What\u2019s in your refrigerator and pantry right now?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: \u00a0I think I detect what you\u2019re driving at. \u00a0Needless to say, I could tell you that we don\u2019t have a single junk food on our premises! \u00a0But that would be a lie. \u00a0I think it\u2019s perfectly fine for people to eat modest amounts of less-healthful foods\u2014ranging from white-flour pasta to candy to ice cream\u2014provided that their overall diet is rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, seafood, nuts, and other more-healthful foods. \u00a0So, yes, I confess to having ordinary pasta on our shelves, a few flavored (and plain) yogurts in our fridge, and lowfat ice cream in our freezer.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Your last meal would be?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: homemade lentil-vegetable soup, grilled scallops on a bed of quinoa, a couple of fish tacos, a large serving of roasted cauliflower, a baked sweet potato, a handful of cashews, a big slice of watermelon, and a bowl of ice cream.<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Your favorite \u201cjunk food\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: frozen yogurt<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Your worst summer job?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: 1 week in college unsuccessfully selling newspaper subscriptions over the phone<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: As a child you wanted to be? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Grown up<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Can you provide a few words in response to the following:<\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Food policy?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Essential to improving diets\/health<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Locally grown foods?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: sensible<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Food advocacy?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Essential to improving policies<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Food additives and preservatives?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Chew the safe, eschew the risky<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: \u00a0GMO foods?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: Maximize the benefits, minimize the risks<\/span><\/p>\n

CP: Calorie Menu Labeling?<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael Jacobson: So helpful!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

FACT SHEET<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grew up in: \u00a0Chicago, IL<\/span><\/p>\n

Where you live: \u00a0Washington, DC<\/span><\/p>\n

Background and Education: \u00a0BA in chemistry \u2013 U. of Chicago; Ph.D. in microbiology \u2013 Massachusetts Institute of Technology<\/span><\/p>\n

One word you would use to describe our food system: \u00a0evolving<\/span><\/p>\n

Food policy hero: \u00a0Senator Tom Harkin<\/span><\/p>\n

Favorite food: \u00a0sweet potato<\/span><\/p>\n

Social media and food policy website(s) you must follow\/read: \u00a0FoodNavigator, to find out what the industry is cooking up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Favorite food policy book: Michael Moss\u2019s <\/span>Salt Sugar Fat<\/span><\/i> \u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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The Center conducts extensive research on longevity and healthspan, exploring how nutrition and lifestyle interventions can extend both lifespan and the number of years lived in good health. Core to its work is the dissemination of reliable, peer-reviewed information on nutrition, longevity science, and healthy aging, as well as ensuring universal access to healthy, affordable food, and creating a more equitable, smart food system that will improve health outcomes. A distinguished scholar and influential figure in the fields of public health, nutrition, and food policy, Dr. Platkin is a Distinguished Lecturer (Emeritus) at City University of New York at Hunter College. He has both a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. in Public Health, specializing in nutrition. He also has a law degree, and throughout his career has been dedicated to a multidisciplinary approach to academic research, community health interventions and complex health and policy issues, encompassing law, public health, and nutrition. Dr. Platkin has occupied influential roles in public health, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center from 2012 to 2023. During this time, he played a pivotal role in shaping food-related policies in New York City. His entrepreneurial leadership extends across multiple sectors: he is the co-founder and strategic advisor to Diversion Books (DiversionBooks.com), a book publishing company; Chief Strategy Officer at PopCom Health (PopComHealth.com); founder and managing director of Magoo Properties (MagooProperties.com); and co-founder and director of MedicalBx (MedicalBx.com), which develops boutique hospitals and mobile medical clinics to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. His leadership also extended to co-founding and operating organizations like Integrated Wellness Solutions, where he leveraged innovative approaches and technology to enhance health and wellness. He is a powerful advocate for healthier communities and for shaping the field of nutrition and food policy in lasting ways. Dr. Platkin has made significant contributions to the field of public health and nutrition issues through his research. He has published in several peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss, the International Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, BioMed Central (BMC) Obesity; and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is the author of eight books. His forthcoming book, Eat to Cheat Death: Using Food as Medicine to Live Better, Live Stronger, Live Healthier, and Live Longer (Simon & Schuster, 2027), synthesizes cutting-edge research on nutrition and longevity. His first book, Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press 2002, Plume 2004), was a bestseller in hardcover; it has been used by addiction clinics to assist patients with resolving drug and alcohol-related issues, and more than 20 universities around the country use it as a text to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His other titles include The Diet Detective's Count Down (Simon and Schuster, 2007), The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon and Schuster, 2008), The Diet Detective's Diet Starter Kit (Diversion, 2011), and The Diet Detective's All-American Diet (Rodale, 2012). Charles Platkin's contributions to the fields of health, nutrition, and public policy have earned him recognition and numerous accolades. 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His syndicated health, nutrition, and fitness column, the Diet Detective, appeared in more than 150 daily newspapers and media outlets for nearly 20 years. His appearances on thousands of radio shows, in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms have reached a broad audience. His commitment to educating the public underscores his dedication to public health. 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MPH","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"es","@id":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Charles-Platkin-PhD-2025-500-96x96.jpg","url":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Charles-Platkin-PhD-2025-500-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Charles-Platkin-PhD-2025-500-96x96.jpg","caption":"Charles Platkin, PhD, JD, MPH"},"description":"Dr. Charles Platkin is the founder and Executive Director of the Center For Food As Medicine & Longevity (FoodMedCenter.org), a not-for-profit organization working to bridge the gap between traditional allopathic medicine and the use of food as medicine in the prevention, treatment, and management of disease. The Center conducts extensive research on longevity and healthspan, exploring how nutrition and lifestyle interventions can extend both lifespan and the number of years lived in good health. Core to its work is the dissemination of reliable, peer-reviewed information on nutrition, longevity science, and healthy aging, as well as ensuring universal access to healthy, affordable food, and creating a more equitable, smart food system that will improve health outcomes. A distinguished scholar and influential figure in the fields of public health, nutrition, and food policy, Dr. Platkin is a Distinguished Lecturer (Emeritus) at City University of New York at Hunter College. He has both a Masters Degree and a Ph.D. in Public Health, specializing in nutrition. He also has a law degree, and throughout his career has been dedicated to a multidisciplinary approach to academic research, community health interventions and complex health and policy issues, encompassing law, public health, and nutrition. Dr. Platkin has occupied influential roles in public health, notably serving as the Executive Director of the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center from 2012 to 2023. During this time, he played a pivotal role in shaping food-related policies in New York City. His entrepreneurial leadership extends across multiple sectors: he is the co-founder and strategic advisor to Diversion Books (DiversionBooks.com), a book publishing company; Chief Strategy Officer at PopCom Health (PopComHealth.com); founder and managing director of Magoo Properties (MagooProperties.com); and co-founder and director of MedicalBx (MedicalBx.com), which develops boutique hospitals and mobile medical clinics to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. His leadership also extended to co-founding and operating organizations like Integrated Wellness Solutions, where he leveraged innovative approaches and technology to enhance health and wellness. He is a powerful advocate for healthier communities and for shaping the field of nutrition and food policy in lasting ways. Dr. Platkin has made significant contributions to the field of public health and nutrition issues through his research. He has published in several peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals, including the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the Journal of Obesity and Weight Loss, the International Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, BioMed Central (BMC) Obesity; and the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He is the author of eight books. His forthcoming book, Eat to Cheat Death: Using Food as Medicine to Live Better, Live Stronger, Live Healthier, and Live Longer (Simon & Schuster, 2027), synthesizes cutting-edge research on nutrition and longevity. His first book, Breaking the Pattern (Red Mill Press 2002, Plume 2004), was a bestseller in hardcover; it has been used by addiction clinics to assist patients with resolving drug and alcohol-related issues, and more than 20 universities around the country use it as a text to teach behavioral change techniques to nutrition and dietetic counseling interns. His other titles include The Diet Detective's Count Down (Simon and Schuster, 2007), The Diet Detective's Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon and Schuster, 2008), The Diet Detective's Diet Starter Kit (Diversion, 2011), and The Diet Detective's All-American Diet (Rodale, 2012). Charles Platkin's contributions to the fields of health, nutrition, and public policy have earned him recognition and numerous accolades. He was cited by the New York State Governor for his contributions to the development of nutrition materials for NYS Mentoring in March 2019, showcasing his dedication to public health and education. He was also honored as a Politics of Food honoree by City & State in November 2018 for his commitment to promoting healthy eating and food policy reform. Additionally, Dr. Platkin's success as a principal investigator and grant recipient reflects his impact in the field, as he has secured multiple grants to support research and initiatives related to food policy and nutrition. Beyond his academic and research pursuits, Charles Platkin has engaged with the public through various media outlets. He was the host and executive producer of WE TV's series I Want To Save Your Life, where he helped individuals transform their health through nutrition and lifestyle interventions. His syndicated health, nutrition, and fitness column, the Diet Detective, appeared in more than 150 daily newspapers and media outlets for nearly 20 years. His appearances on thousands of radio shows, in newspapers, magazines, and online platforms have reached a broad audience. His commitment to educating the public underscores his dedication to public health. He received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, a law degree from Fordham University, a Master of Public Health and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Florida International University in Miami Florida.","sameAs":["https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org","foodmedcenter","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/platkin","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@foodmedcenter","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Charles_Stuart_Platkin"],"honorificPrefix":"Dr.","honorificSuffix":"PhD, JD, MPH","url":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/author\/charles-platkin\/"}]}},"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8501"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8501\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17935,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8501\/revisions\/17935"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodmedcenter.org\/es_pr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}