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.
In theory, that sounds like a decently healthy standard. However, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plants and minerals with high metal content, and more can be used in natural foods. Unfortunately, without a true definition, oversight, or a verification process, it is difficult to put much faith in the natural claim if any producer can put it on its packaging with no consequences. Not to mention, any definition that claims something is natural while accepting GMOs as such carries no weight in my mind.
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.
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.
In theory, that sounds like a decently healthy standard. However, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), plants and minerals with high metal content, and more can be used in natural foods. Unfortunately, without a true definition, oversight, or a verification process, it is difficult to put much faith in the natural claim if any producer can put it on its packaging with no consequences. Not to mention, any definition that claims something is natural while accepting GMOs as such carries no weight in my mind.
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.
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!
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