It should go without saying that Tim Horton doesn't add nicotine to their coffee to get you addicted or that the government isn't adding fluoride to your water to control your mind. Of course, that doesn't mean people don't believe these things.
Strangely though, some consiparcy theories are surprisingly accurate -for example, the popularity of fondue in the seventies was all a result of brilliant marketing from the Swiss Cheese Union. It sounds absurd, but it's actually well documented.
You can read up on more of these odd theories over on Thrillist.
We dish up more neat food posts at the Neatolicious blog
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My favorite food conspiracy theory relates to one of the ones on here but is a totally different explanation. Addresses the baffling decision Coca-Cola made to completely change the formula and taste of what was at the time the number one selling soft drink in the world. The theory I heard makes much more sense than the "stirring up interest" story they have in this article. What I heard is that they were already losing market share to Pepsi, and with it being the height of the "drug war" and public anti-drug sentiment, they were scared to death of what would happen if Pepsi (either openly or through surrogates) accused them of tacitly supporting the illegal drug trade. This accusation would have actually been true, as one of the ingredients in Coca-Cola has always been the extract from coca leaves (with the cocaine removed of course) as a flavoring. This had (and has) always supported the extensive (legal) cultivation of what was being looked at more and more as a dangerous, illegal drug by giving the coca farmers a huge market for what was only part of what they produced. I was told they were just trying to quietly get out in front of what they expected would be a firestorm of negative publicity if this became an issue, and worked to come up with a passable coca-extract free formula. Was told this story by someone who claimed (of course) that they heard it directly from someone involved in the decision-making. Do not know if it is true, but it sure seems a lot more believable than the ridiculous explanations they have always given. Would be curious to know if anyone else has heard this version of the story.
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