While conducting experiments using the low-calorie food substitute Olestra in potato chips, researchers found the substitute resulted in weight gain when consumed with other high-fat foods in mice.

"The fact that participants were willing to substitute part of a food item for the mere prospect of a relatively small monetary award is interesting," says Reimann.

This has become a quick fix to the "failure" of national production – increasing food supply has become a substitute for a real food security policy.