Washington, D.C. — Put down the Pop Tarts, Shrek. Sen. Tom Harkin wants you to try some healthier treats.
The Iowa Democrat said today that it is "totally irresponsible" for the producers of the new kids' movie "Shrek the Third" to allow the lovable green ogre to promote sugary, high-fat food such as Pop Tarts, Froot Loops, Cheez Its, Snickers and more.
"It's damaging to our kids' health, damaging to our entire country," Harkin said in a conference call with Iowa reporters.
"I think people have to start understanding Shrek maybe really is an ogre," he said. "Maybe he isn't good for kids' health."
Harkin wrote a letter this week to Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dreamworks, which produces the Shrek movie series, asking that he reconsider unhealthy food promoted by Shrek. He told Katzenberg that the food tie-ins call into question the company's commitment to ending the nation's "food crisis."
"For years now I have spoken out against the aggressive marketing of junk food to America's children," Harkin said. "It's fueling an epidemic of child obesity. It's undermining parents' authority."
Harkin said food advertisers are using cell phones and text messages to reach kids and teens. He also said he wants to give the government more authority to regulate ads to kids.
But it's Shrek that really has Harkin feeling — well, like an ogre.
"If these industries continue on their present course, government has a responsibility to act," said Harkin. "We are not going to stand idly by in the face of a worsening epidemic of childhood obesity and diabetes."
Parents have a responsibility to watch what their children eat, but corporations have responsibilities as well, "and right now they're acting totally irresponsibly," Harkin said.
"Kids love Shrek so if Shrek says, 'Eat Cheetos,' then kids want to eat Cheetos," he said. "Why isn't Shrek advertising fresh fruits, vegetables, healthy choices?"
Katzenberg is a major Democratic contributor, giving since 1998 about $442,000 in soft money to party committees and about $235,000 to various candidate committees, according to Federal Election Commission records.
That includes Harkin, to whom Katzenberg gave $1,000 in 2001. Asked if he would return the money, Harkin said, "Heck no, I'm not going to give it back to him. Serves him right."
Harkin has received campaign contributions from others in the Hollywood film and TV industry but he said that it doesn't influence his feelings about the junk-food issue.
"Even if they are contributors, this is something I feel very strongly about and I take that message out to them," he said. "I'll continue to do that."
Officials with Dreamworks had no immediate comment.
So, if Shrek doesn't clean up his act, and put his face on the next sack of carrots or bag of peas you buy, then the Government has the responsibility to act. Thats OK though, because it's all for the children. We all know that the only reason kids don't like eating their peas and carrots is because Shrek's face isn't on the bag. And Shrek's face is the only reason why kids want the sweets. When I was a kid, I wanted the sweet, sugary things, no matter what was on the package, because I liked the junk food better than the peas and carrots. It was a part of being a kid.
Harkin received a contribution from the guy he's going after, Jeffrey Katzenberg. Asked if he would return the contribution, Harkin said "Heck no, I'm not going to give it back to him. Serves him right." Why such arrogance? I hope future contributers to Harkin see this and think twice about supporting him.
Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the US, and the presence of so much junk food is probably a reason for it. But is going after Shrek really the way to do something about it, and then threaten the use of the federal government if nothing is done? I don't care what is on the package. Unless they are old enough and have some kind of income, kids can't buy this stuff on their own. It still comes down to the parent or other adult who says yes or no. Besides, we are in the middle of a war, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid is going bankrupt, we have open boarders which need to be addressed, and Harkin is using our tax dollars to go after Shrek. Maybe its time for Harkin to announce his exit strategy from the US Senate.
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