I feel so disappointed in the path Zoe has taken. So many people signed up thinking they were helping be part of a big science project that would help others too. But it increasingly looks like a race to make profits for the investors as fast as possible. Eg going into supplements (when they set out being all about real food), launching shots in planet polluting plastic, and now ramping up the AI part rather than the personal support. Then there’s the marketing now focussed on weight loss - which they originally said they were about. And as for the points system - who came up with that? How can that be good for mental health?
I couldn't agree more. We have been fans of Tim's work for years, which contributes to the disappointment even more. The planet-polluting plastic shots are the prime example of how big words in magazine interviews like "What is sustainability? Being aware of the wider impact of our choices" can easily sound cheap...
There are now eco-friendly bottles made entirely from polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based compound derived from corn starch, with the label being printed using vegetable ink. You can chuck this in your home composting bin and it'll degrade in 3 to 6 months leaving no trace, even though it looks like a regular plastic bottle. With millions of funding, this innovation alone would have set an example for others to follow in this field. A lot better marketing than the aggressive "only believe us because we're scientists," which sounds totally patronising.
As to the points system, we should be helping people think for themselves instead of making them adopt an AI-generated system for measuring how well they're eating. I could go on, but I need to go and make dinner 😂 Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here 🙏🏽
💯agree. The whole Zoe venture has become a sham of ethics, beginning with presenting previously mocked traditional knowledge and cultural practices as new scientific discovery. Lulling people into safety of you can do this before graduating to but look we’ve packaged it for you in tiny but expensive portions in posh supermarkets to hammer home its exclusivity.
Inbetween i observed many people who joined the zoe trials go from curious to disenfranchised or even angry with maybe some
obsession, fear or disordered eating along the way trying to pacify the cgm.
Very concerning that with the extortionate cost of these tiny packages, such contaminates are being discovered leading to questioning of the rigour of their sourcing and supply chain.
Your analysis strikes a vital chord, not just about corporate responsibility but also how we as consumers need to balance trust with critical thinking. It’s a timely reminder that even trusted names need scrutiny 🧐
This product in recall is something I feel competent to comment on due to a 30 year career running a business which processed over 20000 tonnes of grain and seed products for the baking industry . At launch I raised concerns both about the inferred health claims and the fact that some of the inferred claims relate to components of the mix are whole intact seeds and the micronutrients may not be bioavailable unless finely broken down , and secondly that the material in extortionately priced - equivalent to £120 per kilo , when in fact it could be produced and packed for conconsiderabley less than £10 per kilo . Well the news today on its recall , serves only to demonstrate a big dollop of naivety within the supply chain , as these types of contaminant's are common place in these materials and only quite robust pre cleaning and sophicated contaminant management systems containing X-ray , metal detection etc . What would further concern me is that its being said that this contaminant relates to one grade of product , which I doubt very much !
I feel so disappointed in the path Zoe has taken. So many people signed up thinking they were helping be part of a big science project that would help others too. But it increasingly looks like a race to make profits for the investors as fast as possible. Eg going into supplements (when they set out being all about real food), launching shots in planet polluting plastic, and now ramping up the AI part rather than the personal support. Then there’s the marketing now focussed on weight loss - which they originally said they were about. And as for the points system - who came up with that? How can that be good for mental health?
Thanks Miguel - it all could have been so different. Enjoy dinner xx
I couldn't agree more. We have been fans of Tim's work for years, which contributes to the disappointment even more. The planet-polluting plastic shots are the prime example of how big words in magazine interviews like "What is sustainability? Being aware of the wider impact of our choices" can easily sound cheap...
There are now eco-friendly bottles made entirely from polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-based compound derived from corn starch, with the label being printed using vegetable ink. You can chuck this in your home composting bin and it'll degrade in 3 to 6 months leaving no trace, even though it looks like a regular plastic bottle. With millions of funding, this innovation alone would have set an example for others to follow in this field. A lot better marketing than the aggressive "only believe us because we're scientists," which sounds totally patronising.
As to the points system, we should be helping people think for themselves instead of making them adopt an AI-generated system for measuring how well they're eating. I could go on, but I need to go and make dinner 😂 Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here 🙏🏽
💯agree. The whole Zoe venture has become a sham of ethics, beginning with presenting previously mocked traditional knowledge and cultural practices as new scientific discovery. Lulling people into safety of you can do this before graduating to but look we’ve packaged it for you in tiny but expensive portions in posh supermarkets to hammer home its exclusivity.
Inbetween i observed many people who joined the zoe trials go from curious to disenfranchised or even angry with maybe some
obsession, fear or disordered eating along the way trying to pacify the cgm.
Very concerning that with the extortionate cost of these tiny packages, such contaminates are being discovered leading to questioning of the rigour of their sourcing and supply chain.
Thank you so much for your comments, Natalie. These are all legitimate questions that many will be pondering on right now 🙏🏽
Your analysis strikes a vital chord, not just about corporate responsibility but also how we as consumers need to balance trust with critical thinking. It’s a timely reminder that even trusted names need scrutiny 🧐
God yes.
Thank you! 1000% agreed 🙏🏽
This product in recall is something I feel competent to comment on due to a 30 year career running a business which processed over 20000 tonnes of grain and seed products for the baking industry . At launch I raised concerns both about the inferred health claims and the fact that some of the inferred claims relate to components of the mix are whole intact seeds and the micronutrients may not be bioavailable unless finely broken down , and secondly that the material in extortionately priced - equivalent to £120 per kilo , when in fact it could be produced and packed for conconsiderabley less than £10 per kilo . Well the news today on its recall , serves only to demonstrate a big dollop of naivety within the supply chain , as these types of contaminant's are common place in these materials and only quite robust pre cleaning and sophicated contaminant management systems containing X-ray , metal detection etc . What would further concern me is that its being said that this contaminant relates to one grade of product , which I doubt very much !
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Alan. I appreciate you sharing your expertise on this matter.