Reach into your pantry or refrigerator and choose any packaged food item. The most common scenario is that it is plastered with marketing claims like sugar free or immunity boosting. Or perhaps, one of my least favorite terms, all natural. The reason why I dislike it is because it means absolutely nothing and is only used to deceive buyers into believing the food item is healthy.
You will see a lot of foods labeled as natural or all natural. It sounds good. Many people think this means something similar to organic. In some consumer polls, the term natural or all natural has even garnered more consumer confidence than organic certification. But unlike organic, which requires USDA inspections and certification, the term natural is mostly meaningless marketing. No government agency, certification group, or other independent authority defines the term on packaging or ensures the claim is truthful.
The FDA oversees the claims made by food manufacturers. They have never given a definition of what a natural or all natural product should consist of. The only statement the FDA has made about these claims is that they do not object to its use if it does not included food dyes, artificial flavors, or synthetic chemicals.
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.
The FDA's lack of clarity on this issue has given companies free reign to use these claims as they see fit, something that has proven to be a significant problem. I've run out of fingers counting the number of scandals the food industry has been apart of. The FDA's ambivalence on the natural and all natural claims is frustrating and needs to change. Oversight of these claims is necessary.
Despite the government's lack of action on these label claims, consumer groups are taking action, which is refreshing to see. Tired of being lied to and exposed to dangerous ingredients, consumers are holding food manufacturers' feet to the fire. Food manufacturers and retailers have had to defend themselves against a host of significant lawsuits, and have lost quite a few. This is a trend that I expect to persist.
While I recommend eating whole foods, should you desire a processed food, I suggest putting little faith in marketing claims and to read the ingredients list in its entirety. The shorter the list, the better. Also, be sure to investigate or avoid chemicals you aren't familiar with. While we need to hold food companies accountable, we also need to be responsible in watching what we allow in our food. The FDA isn't doing its job, so we must do it for them.
You will see a lot of foods labeled as natural or all natural. It sounds good. Many people think this means something similar to organic. In some consumer polls, the term natural or all natural has even garnered more consumer confidence than organic certification. But unlike organic, which requires USDA inspections and certification, the term natural is mostly meaningless marketing. No government agency, certification group, or other independent authority defines the term on packaging or ensures the claim is truthful.
The FDA oversees the claims made by food manufacturers. They have never given a definition of what a natural or all natural product should consist of. The only statement the FDA has made about these claims is that they do not object to its use if it does not included food dyes, artificial flavors, or synthetic chemicals.
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.
The FDA's lack of clarity on this issue has given companies free reign to use these claims as they see fit, something that has proven to be a significant problem. I've run out of fingers counting the number of scandals the food industry has been apart of. The FDA's ambivalence on the natural and all natural claims is frustrating and needs to change. Oversight of these claims is necessary.
Despite the government's lack of action on these label claims, consumer groups are taking action, which is refreshing to see. Tired of being lied to and exposed to dangerous ingredients, consumers are holding food manufacturers' feet to the fire. Food manufacturers and retailers have had to defend themselves against a host of significant lawsuits, and have lost quite a few. This is a trend that I expect to persist.
While I recommend eating whole foods, should you desire a processed food, I suggest putting little faith in marketing claims and to read the ingredients list in its entirety. The shorter the list, the better. Also, be sure to investigate or avoid chemicals you aren't familiar with. While we need to hold food companies accountable, we also need to be responsible in watching what we allow in our food. The FDA isn't doing its job, so we must do it for them.
About the Author:
Be sure to check out my website for more information at FDA food label guidelines or my blog at natural claims on food labels. Thank you and be well!
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