Center for Science in the Public Interest is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 1971. The group, often referred to as the CSPI, focuses on nutrition, food safety, alcohol abuse, and scientific honesty. Much of its work educates the public about the health dangers of fats, salt, and other substances in foods. The CSPI gained fame for calling attention to the high fat content of movie theater popcorn. Another well-known effort pointed out the nutritional shortcomings of meals from fast-food and ethnic restaurants. Some critics question whether certain CSPI targets–such as movie popcorn–really pose serious threats to public health.
The group also works to pass laws that support its positions. For example, the CSPI helped pass the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. This law requires that all packaged and processed food sold in the United States carry labels with nutritional information. The CSPI also joined a successful campaign to require warning labels on alcoholic beverages. The CSPI’s headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
