These days, junk food and snack food are under constant attack. But love that sugar and trans fats or hate ‘em, whether it’s Ring Dings or Milky Ways, these iconic foods are American as apple pie. So says Andy Smith, the noted culinary historian in his newly released book, The Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food.

Smith spoke to the Culinary Historians of New York on Oct. 26 where attendees at the event, hosted by the NYU Department of Nutrition, Food Studies & Public Health, scarfed down White Castle burgers, grape soda, and Doritos. Who knew that until 1963, all U.S. chocolate was manufactured by Hershey or that over 100,000 commercial candy bars were produced in the 20th century?

Take that, New York City Department of Health!

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