Walk down any grocery store food aisle and grab a random package off the shelf. It is most likely covered with marketing slogans and claims like low fat, heart healthy, or perhaps all natural, which to me, is one of the most misleading marketing claims of all. What does it mean? It turns out, very little.
The natural or all natural claim can be found on a variety of different products. It appears to be a very successful marketing claim. Over $40 billion worth of food items are sold each year with these label claims on them. Some believe these claims are similar to or even better than organic certification. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While organic certification requires inspections and audits, food manufacturers need no such scrutiny to use the natural or all natural claims. There are no government oversight groups. There isn't even an industry standard definition.
The FDA, which oversees food label claims (and often not so well), has no definition for the use of the term natural or all natural. The government agency has not objected to all natural claims when the food product does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.
That sounds like a reasonable definition, even though it is not official. The problem is that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), GMOs, partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), and other concerning ingredients are often used in so called natural products. Without a legitimate characterization or government verification, companies can use the natural and all natural claims for whatever they want.
Left to their own devices, food manufacturers have created their own meanings of these claims, which has led to many misleading claims and confusion among consumers. The number of scandals the food industry has experienced is countless. While I believe consumers should be more vigilant, these companies should not be allowed to make their own definitions.
While the government doesn't appear to have gotten all that involved in overseeing the all natural claim, based on the fact that they haven't even defined it for food manufacturers, it hasn't stopped consumers from holding food producers and retailers accountable. Numerous lawsuits have been brought and won against some of the biggest companies in both groups. I expect this to continue. Americans are finally waking up to the fact that most companies put profit ahead of our health concerns.
Be sure to read the actual food ingredients list and ignore the marketing claim if you haven't fully researched the definition and the loopholes. Less ingredients is typically best. Whole foods are actually the healthiest option, but in the event you choose to eat a processed food, stay away from chemicals you don't understand. We need to be more vigilant about what we allow into your bodies. We cannot rely on the government to protect us from unscrupulous food manufacturers.
The natural or all natural claim can be found on a variety of different products. It appears to be a very successful marketing claim. Over $40 billion worth of food items are sold each year with these label claims on them. Some believe these claims are similar to or even better than organic certification. Nothing could be farther from the truth. While organic certification requires inspections and audits, food manufacturers need no such scrutiny to use the natural or all natural claims. There are no government oversight groups. There isn't even an industry standard definition.
The FDA, which oversees food label claims (and often not so well), has no definition for the use of the term natural or all natural. The government agency has not objected to all natural claims when the food product does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances.
That sounds like a reasonable definition, even though it is not official. The problem is that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), GMOs, partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats), and other concerning ingredients are often used in so called natural products. Without a legitimate characterization or government verification, companies can use the natural and all natural claims for whatever they want.
Left to their own devices, food manufacturers have created their own meanings of these claims, which has led to many misleading claims and confusion among consumers. The number of scandals the food industry has experienced is countless. While I believe consumers should be more vigilant, these companies should not be allowed to make their own definitions.
While the government doesn't appear to have gotten all that involved in overseeing the all natural claim, based on the fact that they haven't even defined it for food manufacturers, it hasn't stopped consumers from holding food producers and retailers accountable. Numerous lawsuits have been brought and won against some of the biggest companies in both groups. I expect this to continue. Americans are finally waking up to the fact that most companies put profit ahead of our health concerns.
Be sure to read the actual food ingredients list and ignore the marketing claim if you haven't fully researched the definition and the loopholes. Less ingredients is typically best. Whole foods are actually the healthiest option, but in the event you choose to eat a processed food, stay away from chemicals you don't understand. We need to be more vigilant about what we allow into your bodies. We cannot rely on the government to protect us from unscrupulous food manufacturers.
About the Author:
Be sure to check out my website for more information at FDA food label guidelines or my blog at dangers of food additives preservatives. Thank you and be well!
No comments:
Post a Comment