http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200508240147.html
Fast Food Makers Go Image Making
Fatty, salty, tons of calories and minuscule nutritional value-with images like that, what's a peddler of fast food to do?
Fast food and snack makers are dispatching employees to schools to conduct food classes, with a goal of changing their products' unhealthy images.
The offers are tempting fare for many teachers, who have to come up with subjects for their general studies classes.
In early August, Hiroyuki Mugita, public relations manager at Calbee Foods Co., led a workshop organized by the board of education in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Mos Food Services Inc., meanwhile, has targeted October for the start of classes at elementary schools that include such hands-on activities as cooking hamburgers.
"It was a great help because the company prepared a complete kit of teaching materials," one teacher said. "When people outside school participate in classes, students become more focused on the studies."
Still, skeptics might see the classes as an easy way for teachers to fill their schedules.
"Children cannot stop eating (fast food and snacks) although manufacturers may say there is no problem unless they eat too much," she said.(IHT/Asahi: August 24,2005)
