Letter to Gerber Products Company, Sept. 9, 2002.

Frank Palantoni
Chief Executive Officer
Gerber Products Company


Dear Mr. Palantoni:

I am writing to express our concerns regarding a magazine advertisement for Gerber Parents Resource CenterTM that reflects unfavorably on the nation's restaurants. I respectfully request your reconsideration of this advertisement, and I hope you will consider its withdrawal.

I have enclosed a copy of the advertisement for your review. While I do certainly agree that smart lifestyle choices begin with parents at home, I find that blaming specific food items for the complex problem of obesity is indeed swallowing a simplistic notion. It is disappointing to see a fellow food organization depicting an infant with a carry-out container of french fries with a caption stating "Bad eating habits are learned early." I feel your advertisement unfairly places blame on restaurants serving that item. All reputable experts agree that all foods can be part of a healthy diet.

I believe that the advertisement casts an exceptionally simplistic image of the causes of obesity in general, and childhood obesity in particular. It is unclear to me why efforts to promote the benefits of the Gerber Parents Resource Center require a negative depiction of another industry-particularly an allied industry. I assume the advertising agency would have been able to develop creative concepts that accomplish your marketing strategies without disparaging restaurants.

The National Restaurant Association supports efforts such as President Bush's "HealthierUS Initiative", the United States Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) "VERB: It's What You Do" youth campaign, and the goals of the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act (IMPACT) recently introduced in the United States Senate, to educate young people about nutrition and the importance of physical activity. In addition, we offer smart eating tips and an "Ask the Nutritionist" feature on our Web site, www.restaurant.org, and work hand-in-hand with other trade associations on this important and serious issue.

The National Restaurant Association seeks opportunities to work with allied organizations and corporations to help the restaurant industry-an industry of choice-provide a variety of menu options to suit every dietary need, and is compelled to point out those instances in which a given action is contrary to this productive effort. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

Steven C. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
National Restaurant Association