National Junk Food Day 🍟

Overview

National Junk Food Day, observed annually on July 21st, is an informal and lighthearted occasion dedicated to indulging in favorite unhealthy snacks without guilt. It encourages individuals to take a break from their usual healthy eating habits and enjoy a treat, whether it's chips, candy, fast food, or any other beloved 'junk food.' The day serves as a fun reminder to embrace occasional indulgence and enjoy the simple pleasure of comfort foods.

Origin and story

The term "junk food" was popularized by Michael F. Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972.

Potato chips, a quintessential junk food, were reportedly invented in 1853 by chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Quick facts

• DateJuly 21
• TypeFood / Dessert
• Great forFoodies, Chocolate lovers, Home bakers

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Ways to celebrate

The term "junk food" has a more official birthday than the food itself — someone specifically coined it to make a point.

Meet the man who defined the term

Microbiologist Michael F. Jacobson, then director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, coined and formally defined "junk food" in 1972 specifically to draw attention to foods high in calories but low in nutrients.

Know it existed informally earlier

The phrase itself wasn't entirely new — it appeared in a 1952 Ohio newspaper headline, "'Junk Foods' Cause Serious Malnutrition," reprinting an even earlier 1948 article, decades before Jacobson gave it a formal definition.

Read the fuller history

Helpful resources:

• The Evolving, Enduring Concept of Junk Food (ConscienHealth)

Did you know?

Jacobson founded the Center for Science in the Public Interest in 1971, just a year before coining "junk food" — the same organization that later created Food Day in 1975.

Fun facts

• The term "junk food" was popularized by Michael F. Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972.
• Potato chips, a quintessential junk food, were reportedly invented in 1853 by chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York.
• Globally, pizza is one of the most widely consumed 'junk foods,' with an estimated 5 billion pizzas sold worldwide each year.

Sources and attribution

The Evolving, Enduring Concept of Junk Food (ConscienHealth)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is National Junk Food Day?

It is observed on July 21 each year.

What is National Junk Food Day?

National Junk Food Day, observed annually on July 21st, is an informal and lighthearted occasion dedicated to indulging in favorite unhealthy snacks without guilt. It encourages individuals to take a break from their usual healthy eating habits and enjoy a treat, whether it's chips, candy, fast food, or any other beloved 'junk food.' The day serves as a fun reminder to embrace occasional indulgence and enjoy the simple pleasure of comfort foods.

How do people celebrate National Junk Food Day?

Indulge in a favorite treat and consider the term's history — Michael F. Jacobson formally coined 'junk food' in 1972, though the phrase itself had appeared informally in print as early as 1948.

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