“Partially to blame is the influx of hundreds of thousands of immigrants … bringing a portion of its own local cuisine along.” Are you referring to the “hundreds of thousands” of Americans or maybe the Russians? Come on, the main reason is your second one, “the entry of fast food chains into the marketplace.” It’s a combination of factors. The unrequited desire of many, if not most, Israelis to identify with “food, fun, and the American way.” And the fact that it’s cheaper to manufacture processed foods laden with high amounts of sugar and salt, than to offer healthier choices.
In the frum world, there is a woeful lack of concern about nutrition. In response to pleas to improve eating habits, we often hear replies such as, ‘don’t start up with me with THAT avoda zara (i.e., taking care of one’s health), or even worse, “ha’kol bi’yedei Shamayim ,,,,” Just look how long it took for the dangers of cigarette smoking to penetrate the frum world. It’s the same today with nutrition. Add to this the plain truth that the burgeoning kosher food industry is pure business and nothing more. Which is legitimate. What is not so legitimate, however, is the notion (prevalent in frum circles in E.Y. and promoted by certain groups partial to this or that hechsher) that providing kashrus is some kind of “holy endeavor,” which it is to some degree, but it’s mostly business. So, the unspoken message that gets into peoples’ minds is that “if this or that kashrus agency or beis din gives its stamp of approval to a food product – it’s a sign that it’s OK to eat. Maybe even a mitzva to buy and eat it! The result: we are flooded with treats, snacks, baked goods, prepared processed foods that are easy to serve – all with mehadrin kashrus. “If the rabbonim/mashgichim/beis din feel it’s OK, that’s good enough.” So, in a perverse sort of way, raising the tzibbur’s awareness about nutrition could be seen as a threat to some peoples’ parnassa! And we are not allowed to interfere with a Yid’s parnassa, right? Obviously no one would say “if I make my kids wear a coat in the winter, I’m depriving doctors of their parnassa…”
But, the moment some illness or other makes an appearance, R”L, the tune immediately changes. Why wait for that to happen, chas ve’shalom? In the long run, a little pro active behavior is better than trying to stop an illness that has already materialized.
In response to the argument, “eating healthy is expensive,” I answer, “being R”L sick is also quite expensive!” Often much more than any money expended to eat nutritiously.
May Hashem grant us all והסירותי מחלה מקירבך