Super Eco

Pizza Hut has announced that it is launching a new pizza made from natural ingredients known as "The Natural." One can only imagine what they were using before. Personally, I've never wanted to pay attention to the man behind the curtain—what goes on in the fast food kitchen stays in the fast food kitchen. But frankly, I think the average consumer likely assumes that a veggie pizza from just about any seemingly clean establishment contains "real" ingredients. Come to find out, not surprisingly of course, that Pizza Hut was using chemically-enhanced ingredients.

And frankly, why would we expect anything else from fast food?

Lest we forget its sister company, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and its recent campaign to convince the public that it is offering healthy food choices by touting the fact that its chicken is lower in calories than greasy burgers from a fast food rival. To its credit, KFC does offer grilled chicken in many cities and has eliminated trans fat. However, it also suggests that people remove the skin to make it less fattening and offers no fresh vegetables. So presumably, removing the skin from its deep-fried, pesticide exposed chickens will make it a healthy food choice? Um, OK.

Now, Pizza Hut is promising that its new pizza will contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and that it has earned the seal of approval from the Whole Grains Council. (According to the NPD Group's recent study, 64% of us want more whole grains in our diet.) The All Natural Pizza will be made with vine-ripened tomatoes and all natural mozzarella cheese. They also promise natural toppings such as Rustica Sausage, marinated sliced Roma tomatoes and fire-roasted red peppers.

I have to admit it sounds good. Maybe they are paying attention. Consumers want healthy, organic food or they will go elsewhere. Offer healthy, affordable food, fast. That would be delicious.