Philip Morris Companies, the tobacco giant behind Marlboro, owned Lunchables for 23 years and used cigarette research strategies to shape the brand.
- Internal documents show Philip Morris shared scientists, technology, and product development methods across its tobacco, food, and alcohol divisions, with Lunchables serving as a model example of that strategy.
- Lunchables was engineered to appeal to kids’ desire for autonomy and to ease mothers’ guilt, using the same consumer psychology approach Philip Morris developed for cigarettes.
- Researchers say tobacco-style regulations, including warning labels, taxes, and restrictions on child-focused marketing, may be worth applying to ultraprocessed foods like Lunchables.
A longtime friend of mine and I often go into deeper discussions of a myriad different topics and on that occasion it was probably something about propaganda. My friend is also quite keen on discovering films and documentaries and sharing them with me, so he was aware of and suggested Adam Curtis and his works. This was perhaps ten or so years ago. Quite glad of that.
This doc is one of those big reveals. The curtain gets pulled back and you see the levers being pulled. Being aware of these elements is extremely important, but alas most are not.
This would be required viewing in my education system and I’ve been telling others about it for years. Please do spread the word.
Sounds like you 2 have an investigative podcast without any work or listeners, lol. Already have spread the word, thanks again.