You might not know it, but food labeling is a multi-billion dollar business. While upbeat television ads parade an endless stream of brightly colored products stamped "all natural" and "reduced fat" in front of consumers, food industry lobbyists are hard at work petitioning the FDA to allow these labels to be printed on almost any type of food. Why? Because consumers trust labels. If a bag of chips has an FDA-approved "smart choice" sticker on it, it must be healthy, right? Well, not necessarily. Here's what those labels really mean.
Smart Choice
The Smart Choices labeling program popped onto the market around 2009, and since then, those little green check marks have been showing up on all kinds of food. According to the program guidelines, the food has to meet certain nutritional guidelines before it can be labeled a "smart choice," such as having 60 mg or less of cholesterol per serving and 25 percent or less of calories from added sugar.
However, those standards allow a surprising number of processed and sugary foods to come under the label, like potato chips and Fruit Loops for example. What makes a product like Fruit Loops, which contains more sugar than some prepackaged cookies, a "smart choice" for children? It's better than a donut, says the president of the Smart Choices program. In other words, the program can mark a food as healthy or better for you if it's better than the worst thing you could possibly eat.
The loose standards of the Smart Choices program have been harshly criticized by leading nutritionists and consumer advocates. One told the New York Times, "You could start out with some sawdust, add calcium or Vitamin A and meet the criteria." And although fresh fruits and vegetables automatically qualify for a Smart Choices label, you'll rarely find the green checkmarks on apples or tomatoes in the produce section.
All Natural
There has been serious contention over the "all natural" label in recent years as both companies and consumers have pressed the Food and Drug Administration to fully define the term. The "natural" label typically refers to:
- foods that are minimally processed and free of synthetic preservatives; artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and other artificial additives; growth hormones; antibiotics; hydrogenated oils; stabilizers; and emulsifiers.
Unfortunately, such a definition allows a host of ingredients - some not so healthy or natural - to fall under the all-natural label, especially when the definition is technically applied in the extremist sense.
For example, the FDA in July 2008 said foods containing high-fructose corn syrup could be labeled as "all natural" despite synthetic fixing agents being used in its processing. The reason? The corn starch from which the syrup is made does not come into direct contact with the fixing agents, and is therefore not "added" to the product.
In the absence of clear guidelines, food companies are often left to decide which ingredients they think fit the term. Ben & Jerry's was recently sued for including alkalized cocoa in its "all natural" ice cream. The company has since agreed to remove the "all natural" label from its product. Potentially almost any product derived from an animal or plant, even if heavily processed and coated with pesticides, can be labeled "all natural."
Zero Grams Trans Fat
Unfortunately, the "zero grams trans fat" label rarely means that the food contains no trans fat. Take a closer look at the label and you'll likely see, in tiny print, the words "per serving" at the bottom of the label. That means there isn't enough trans fat in a serving to register a full gram. The trans fat content could be as high as 0.4 grams per serving, but since the label only measures full grams per serving, you'll never know just how many grams of trans fat are in that family-size bag of potato chips.
Low-Fat and Reduced-Fat
Consumers assume that low-fat must equal low-calorie, but sometimes the opposite is true when it comes to processed food. To replace the flavor lost by removing fat from the food, food manufacturers add sugar to the product. The result is that many low-fat and reduced-fat foods contain more calories than their full-fat counterparts. To top it off, most people consume 50 percent more calories when eating low-fat foods because they are seen as healthier, while less satisfying.
Helps Maintain a Healthy Heart or Immune System
While food manufacturers have to obtain FDA approval for specific health claims, vague ones aren't so tightly regulated. Basically, any food containing Vitamin C can be said to maintain a healthy immune system, while a food low in sodium or cholesterol can be sold under the guise of promoting heart health.
Unfortunately, that may be where the health benefits end. Those essential vitamins could be floating in a pile of sugar and other ingredients that could just as easily promote obesity and disease.
Trustworthy Food Labels
Discouraged by all the confusing food labels? Don't be. There are a few consumers can still trust.
- "Organic" - foods have to meet strict USDA requirements for purity, including no genetic modification, antibiotics, or pesticides. Processed food must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients.
- "AHA Heart Healthy" - foods with this label have been approved by the American Heart Association for promoting heart health. Look for the AHA logo.
- "No Salt/Sugar Added" - product contains only sugar or sodium that is naturally present in food. (Note: does not guarantee low sugar content.)
- "Reduced Sugar" - product contains less sugar than the original.
- "Low Calorie" - product contains a no-calorie sweetener, eliminating calories from added sugar.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources
- " 0 Grams Trans Fat Prduct Contact List." American Heart Association, 2011. Web. 8 July 2011.
- Cornell University Food and Brand Lab. "The Health Halo: How low–fat foods can actually make you fatter." Jan. 4, 2011. Cornell University, 2011. Web. 8 July 2011.
- Food and Drug Administration. Letter to Ms. Audrae Erickson, President of the Corn Refiners Association. July 3, 2008. Web. 8 July 2011.
- "Fooled by Food Labels: 9 Deceptive Claims to Watch Out For." Cancer Nutrition Centers of America (CNCA). Web. 8 July 2011.
- FMI Backgrounder. " Natural and Organic Foods." Food Marketing Institute, 2007. Web. 8 July 2011.
- Neuman, William. "For Your Health, Fruit Loops." Business. The New York Times Online. Sept. 4, 2009. Web. 8 July 2011.
- O'Donnell, Matt. "Ben & Jerry's Class Action Lawsuit." Oct. 5, 2010. Top Class Actions, LLC, 2009. Web. 8 July 2011.
- Smart Choices Program. Web. 8 July 2011.
April Kelsey - April Kelsey is a freelance writer specializing in politics, academic writing, and nutrition.
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