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.
Many products will carry the natural or all natural slogan on its packaging. Who wouldn't want a natural product? Studies have shown that the majority of people think these claims are similar to organic foods and some actually believe it to be better than organic. Unfortunately, they are mistaken. Organic food certification is a stringent process that entails inspections, supplier checks, and paperwork trails while food manufacturers can use the natural or all natural claim at their own choosing. There is no oversight and no 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.
At first glance, this appears to be an okay standard. But upon further reflection, the FDA leaves out trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, genetically-modified organisms and more. This is unacceptable. It is hard to put much stock in these claims if there is no government oversight and no consequences for misleading claims.
Without a proper definition, food companies have been allowed to define the claim themselves and this has led to some ambiguity at best and unethical behavior at worst. How many scandals have the food and chemical additive industries been involved in over the past few decades? The list is too long to count, making it obvious to most (but seemingly not the FDA), that these companies should not be left to their own devices.
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.
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.
Many products will carry the natural or all natural slogan on its packaging. Who wouldn't want a natural product? Studies have shown that the majority of people think these claims are similar to organic foods and some actually believe it to be better than organic. Unfortunately, they are mistaken. Organic food certification is a stringent process that entails inspections, supplier checks, and paperwork trails while food manufacturers can use the natural or all natural claim at their own choosing. There is no oversight and no 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.
At first glance, this appears to be an okay standard. But upon further reflection, the FDA leaves out trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, genetically-modified organisms and more. This is unacceptable. It is hard to put much stock in these claims if there is no government oversight and no consequences for misleading claims.
Without a proper definition, food companies have been allowed to define the claim themselves and this has led to some ambiguity at best and unethical behavior at worst. How many scandals have the food and chemical additive industries been involved in over the past few decades? The list is too long to count, making it obvious to most (but seemingly not the FDA), that these companies should not be left to their own devices.
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.
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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