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.
The good news is that consumers and advocacy groups are waking up to the lack of oversight and taking matters into their own hands. We need to hold these companies accountable. There have been some significant lawsuits against food manufacturers and grocery store chains. I think this trend will only grow. We are finally becoming aware that these companies do not have our best interests in mind, but their own. Profits.
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.
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.
The good news is that consumers and advocacy groups are waking up to the lack of oversight and taking matters into their own hands. We need to hold these companies accountable. There have been some significant lawsuits against food manufacturers and grocery store chains. I think this trend will only grow. We are finally becoming aware that these companies do not have our best interests in mind, but their own. Profits.
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 reading food label ingredients or my blog at dangers of food additives preservatives. Thank you and be well!
