Essay 397

Incredible edibles and other food for thought in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Kraft Foods is taking heat from Italians over its Parmesan product. The controversy involves the aging process, which purists insist should take no less than one year. But the food scientists at Kraft managed to speed things up to six months. That’s not surprising coming from a food manufacturer producing some cheese products that are technically not cheese (e.g., Cheez Whiz, Kraft Singles, etc.). Hell, some lawyer should check into whether Kraft should be labeled as a “food” manufacturer.

• Kellogg is celebrating a century of producing breakfast food for America. Ironically, the company started when a doctor and his brother were experimenting in a hospital kitchen, attempting to produce tastier bread for patients — and today, Kellogg is seeking to improve the nutritional value of its products. The company also plans to produce more items targeting Baby Boomers. Look for Kellogg’s Frosted Viagra Flakes soon.

• Salsa long ago beat out ketchup as America’s favorite condiment. Now tortillas are gaining serious crossover appeal. “Tortillas are riding on the back of a lot of other things that are going on, interest in ethnic food, interest in low-carbs, and people want good value,” one expert said. Look for Kellogg’s Frosted Tortilla Flakes soon.

• The racially-charged jail riots in Los Angeles have continued throughout the week after the initial melee on February 4 (see Essay 380). Officials report the conflicts are between Black and Hispanic gang members, and separating inmates by race has legal and political challenges. If racial segregation is a no-no, why not split folks along gang lines? Or even tattoos?

• Violent crime is on the rise in cities like Milwaukee, Houston and Philadelphia. A disturbing trend shows many disputes are erupting over seemingly trivial matters, from “disrespecting” family members to giving someone a nasty facial expression. “We’re seeing a very angry population, and they don’t go to fists anymore, they go right to guns,” a Milwaukee police official said. “A police department can have an effect on drugs or gangs. But two people arguing in a home, how does the police department go in and stop that?” Are you looking at me?