Michelle Obama announced that she is partnering with a new company to sell healthier food and drinks for children, which will be lower in sugar and higher in nutrients so that they will be less detrimental to long-term health.
Former first lady Michelle Obama's work with PLEZi Nutrition, where she is a co-founder and strategic partner, continues her efforts to improve child nutrition while in office.
During a keynote address at a conference sponsored by The Wall Street Journal on the future, she said, "You can't just work from the outside on this issue if you want to change the game." "You have to get inside. You have to change the food and beverage industry itself."
As a result, I am proud to announce the launch of a company designed not just to provide better products but to jumpstart what I hope will be a race to the top that will transform the entire food industry.
Ms. Obama is a co-founder and strategic partner of PLEZi Nutrition, which will see her work behind the scenes on its educational and philanthropic efforts, aides said, stressing that she won't be a spokesperson or public face. There was no indication whether she put any money down or was paid a salary to help launch the company.
As first lady, Ms. Obama promoted a White House initiative called "Let's Move" to improve the health of US children by encouraging them to engage in physical activity and eat healthier food. Additionally, she pushed for improved nutrition standards for school lunches and encouraged food companies and restaurant chains to reduce calories, salt, sugar, and trans fats in their foods.
She said the problem in the US is that children don't get enough nutrients, consume too much sugar, an average of 53 pounds per year, and don't get enough vitamins and minerals. She said nearly two-thirds of youngsters drink sugary drinks daily, which is their primary source of added sugar.
In addition to its mission to improve child nutrition, PLEZi Nutrition is a public benefit corporation based in the District of Columbia.
According to the former first lady, the company's first product is a drink for children ages six to 12, which has 75 percent less sugar than average fruit juices. It is available at Target and Sprouts Farmers Market and online at Walmart in four flavors: Tropical Punch, Orange Smash, Sour Apple, and Blueberry Blast.
According to the website, water is the healthiest beverage for children.
The website reads, "First and foremost, kids should drink water, and PLEZi isn't meant to replace it." "PLEZi contains 75 percent less sugar than average, leading 100 percent fruit juices, no added sugar, fiber, and nutrients to support kids' growing bodies." Our recommendation is to always start with water and then replace sugary drinks with PLEZi."
In addition, she announced that the company will contribute $1m to an initiative run by FoodCorps, a nonprofit organization working to provide free school meals and nutrition education to all 50 million US students by 2030. In addition to contributing to the broader movement to improve child nutrition, PLEZi Nutrition will also donate 10 percent of its profits.
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