Increasingly, they are being forced to reinvent their relationship with food makers.

But he said food makers, the only group whose claims could be carefully regulated, were not allowed to make any at all.

Of course, food makers could have their own direct sales forces, but that is considerably more expensive.

But that leads to the question: What exactly can food makers do to fight obesity?

There have been so many acquisitions of small frozen food makers that only a few remain independent.

They hope the results will give them leverage in negotiations with food makers.

But many say they are also being squeezed by food makers and fast-food restaurants.

And it is not just food makers that are facing the challenge.

I was known as the finest food maker in Tuscania.

Now other food makers are scrambling to offer similar products .