The text on food packaging serves as a contract between consumers and manufacturers, enforced by the federal government through the FDA. Many food companies engage lawyers to help phrase their messaging in a way that encourages you to purchase their products while remaining within legal boundaries. Here are several typical package claims to be aware of, along with their true implications.
1. Flavored
Both natural and artificial flavors are typically produced in laboratories. Natural flavorings are sourced from nature,
while artificial flavorings do not originate from a natural source. However, natural flavors aren’t always healthier compared to their artificial counterparts. As reported by Scientific American, the natural coconut flavor may actually come from the bark of a tree in Malaysia, rather than from actual coconuts. The extraction process can kill the tree and raises production costs, whereas artificial flavoring can be created more affordably and safely in a lab. That delightful natural strawberry flavor you enjoy? It could be derived from a “natural” bacterial protein. Yum!
2. Drink and cocktail
The FDA mandates that products containing juice must specify the amount on their packaging. When you see the words drink and cocktail, make sure to inspect the label for juice percentages and hidden sugars. Additionally, be cautious: even items labeled as 100 percent juice might actually consist of cheaper juice blends, such as apple and white grape juice.
3. Pure
Products labeled as 100 percent pure, like orange juice, can be enhanced with flavor packs designed for aroma and taste—similar to those used in the perfume industry. Most of us are now aware of the flavor packs that are reintegrated into fresh-squeezed orange juices, such as Tropicana and Minute Maid.
4. Nectar
Although the term nectar sounds incredibly pure, the FDA defines it as merely “not completely juice.” According to the FDA, “The term ‘nectar’ is commonly accepted as the usual name in the U.S. and in international trade for a diluted juice beverage containing fruit juice or puree, water, and possibly sweeteners.” For instance, the ingredient label for popular peach nectar brand Kern’s lists high fructose corn syrup before peach puree.
5. Spread
If a product uses the term spread, it is not 100 percent made from its primary ingredient. For example, Skippy Reduced Fat peanut butter is classified as a spread
because it contains other ingredients that differentiate it from standard peanut butter. Whenever you see the word spread, check the ingredients for anything you may want to avoid.
6. Good source of fiber
If it doesn’t resemble fiber, it may not function like fiber. Products loaded with polydextrose and inulin have not been shown to provide the same benefits as naturally fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and beans. To reap authentic fiber benefits, consider adding some fruit to your yogurt.
7. Cholesterol free
Any product that does not originate from an animal source can be labeled as cholesterol-free. Companies often use this claim to create a façade of healthiness. While the product may not be unhealthy, check for other potentially troublesome ingredients, such as corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils.
8. Fat free
Cooking sprays like PAM and I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray may be classified as fat-free if utilized in extremely small and nearly impossible serving sizes. PAM requires a spray duration of just ¼ of a second, and the tiny I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray bottle contains over 1,000 servings! Moreover, it’s not entirely fat-free; it merely falls below the threshold established by the FDA for label identification.
9. Sugar free
This label implies free of sucrose but does not account for other sugar alcohols that contribute calories from carbohydrates, although technically not classified as sugar. Sugar alcohols range from 1.5 to 3 calories per gram in contrast to 4 calories per gram for traditional sugar. Furthermore, certain sugar alcohols may lead to digestive issues.
10. Trademarks
Only Dannon yogurt is permitted to utilize the yogurt bacteria called bifidus regularis because they developed their own strain of a common yogurt bacteria and secured a trademark. Lactobacillus acidophilus is present in all yogurts containing active cultures. While Activa is marketed as beneficial for digestion and elimination, other yogurts and some cheeses containing this bacteria offer the same advantages.
11. Health claims
Can a probiotic straw boost immunity in a child? Do Cheerios serve as a substitute for cholesterol-lowering medication? The FDA does not support such claims. Foods are not approved to treat any medical conditions. Approach any food label claiming to be the next miracle solution with skepticism.
by Susan Floyd
