Recently General Mills, the maker of Hamburger Helper, announced that they were going to do their part to save the planet by straightening out the noodles in boxes of Hamburger Helper. Their thinking was that smoother noodles will take up less packaging because they settle together more easily. That will in turn make it possible for them to make the boxes smaller and then move more HH in each shipment. Problem solved!The folks over at the Environmental News Network have a bone to pick with General Mills. They say that tweaking the shape of the noodles will not have a significant impact on the health of the environment. ENN argues that until large companies like General Mills take a holistic look at what they make, how they make it and what they make it with, they won't have more than a drop of impact in the bucket of sustainability.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-24-2007 @ 1:51AM
Rick Dobbs said...
Read: We're going to make smaller packaging, use a more inexpensive process to make our noodles, make it look like we're helping the environment, but charge the same price for the product.
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10-24-2007 @ 3:45PM
Brandon said...
Pardon me but isn't a drop in the bucket still a drop? I hate how people expect progress in huge leaps... In a country where we haven't seen much progress toward being more environmentally friendly, I'll take every drop in the bucket I can get.
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10-24-2007 @ 4:32PM
David said...
I'm no fan of mega-business and the tactics they use, but it seems as though this is a potential first step toward what COULD become a systemic change. Frankly, I find it to be a pretty clever way to make a low-cost, mutually beneficial change for the better.
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10-24-2007 @ 8:27PM
uhohlol said...
The noodles will stick together like bricks and mortar without more stirring.
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10-25-2007 @ 3:43AM
Deuz Augustine said...
#4: That's fine, nobody reading this site should be cooking this vile excuse for a meal anyway.
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10-25-2007 @ 5:52AM
Bob said...
I would think eliminating the cardboard box altogether would be better than trying to squeeze out a few cents from the customer.
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10-25-2007 @ 11:15AM
Michael Schmitt said...
When you think about it, even a 5% drop in the amount of packaging for Hamburger Helper would yield a significant drop in carboard used. If you take IRI figures for 2005, HH was 1/2 of $495 million in sales. (http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/003.html) If HH is boxed in smaller boxes, then the "me too" private labels will be changing to match the size and shape of the new box, and you're one step closer to saving the planet.
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10-28-2007 @ 8:19PM
Timothy New Haven said...
Paper and Cardboard are a renewable resource. If you want to make an inpact it's not about the size of the cardboard box as much as the ability to more efficiently utilize the nonrenewable resources used in the product ie fuel for shipping--ship more packages per fuel dollar the less the fuel cost to the company and the planet...Non Cardboard (ie Mylar or modified plastics) packaging is not efficiently recycled
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10-28-2007 @ 8:31PM
Patti said...
To Rick Dobbs:
As long as the end result is the same amount of product, what difference does it make if the price is the same?
To Bob:
So, what do you suggest they use? More UN-biodegradable plastic, perhaps? (BTW, I know that's not a real word, but I think you get my drift.)
To those who have commented about the packaging being changed being a good thing, and to Deuz Augustine:
Your comments I agree with wholeheartedly!
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10-28-2007 @ 8:34PM
Saraaahhhhh said...
psh. idc. its still good
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10-28-2007 @ 8:39PM
Pam said...
They may as well leave the lasagna noodles curly, then. If it doesn't at least have curly noodles, then don't call it lasagna! (Skillet Lasagna was a college staple back in the day.)
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10-28-2007 @ 8:42PM
Johanna Taylor said...
AS the littile boy said when he peed in the ocean, "every little bit helps".
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10-28-2007 @ 8:46PM
mary said...
If they want to save the environment, why don't they just publish the recipe, and forget the packaging.
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10-28-2007 @ 8:49PM
Rodger La Barre said...
Instead of wasting time straightening out the noodles, more time should be spent deciding how to take most of the sodium out of HH and all the other prepared foods made by General Mills
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10-28-2007 @ 9:03PM
PC said...
I thought the reason noodles are shaped the way they are is to hold onto and carry the sauce?
Hmph. What are they going to do with the flavors that currently contain shells or tubes?
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10-28-2007 @ 9:15PM
jamco58 said...
I have a pat. pend. to make the BOX out of the noodles. When all the ingredients are in the pan and simmering just add the box, cover, simmer on low and stir occasionally. sauce will thicken as it cools.
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10-28-2007 @ 9:16PM
Cearralyn said...
Hamburger Helper Lasagna has got to be one of the NASTIEST things I have ever attempted to eat! I don't know how anyone can eat it...GROSS!!!!!!!!
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10-28-2007 @ 9:22PM
Carol Bohringer said...
How about going gluten and MSG free. That is more important than changing your box. Do you think we are idiots to think that a box design will help the planet. General Mills and their co-horts are poisoning us and turning this country into diseased CELIACS!
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10-28-2007 @ 9:35PM
herb said...
all this talk about wanting to help the planet but nothing about useing recycle cardboard for the boxes
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10-28-2007 @ 9:43PM
John said...
big deal you want to save the environment! ford has a car coming out that only emmision is living trees and the car is made froom 100 percent recycled materials. If you smoke inside this car it processes the smoke and the only emmision from that is polar ice cap. If you fart in the car it transforms it into ozone. best part about it is you can wave as you go buy gas stations because it runs on other cars pullotion
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