by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva
Read anything in the news lately about childhood obesity, packaging shrink, misleading labels or fat free foods? It’s every day that one of these topics is in the news. So what can you believe from the printed words on the product packaging?
If only we lived and shopped in a pure world where labels told the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But while consumers rely on labels to make wise purchasing choices, food manufacturers use labels to sell their product. Remember when we used to actually read the label before making an informed purchase decision? Its exceptionally important now.
The two functions of a label — providing accurate information and enticing someone to buy the product — conflict and send mixed messages. One the one hand we read buy me and on the other is this product good for me?
Labels can be misleading, especially if you don’t learn to read between the lines and examine the fine print. Today’s labels are very complex with statements that make claims or tout benefits that may not be true. Knowing what the words on the label really mean is a big step in learning to make informed and the right choices at the supermarket.
Through the years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has attempted to make sure that the food products made available to the American public are safe for consumption. The FDA also closely monitors claims made on food labels are not misleading. Look at some of the recent cereal claims.
Misleading Label?
Eat this and become heart healthy?
The FDA weighed in on this one and said no!
But’s fine line that manufacturers can use deceptive wording to trick individuals without actually providing false information.
One campaign against so called “Smart Choices” lead to all the packaging being changes after consumer objected to what they considered good food choices.
Misleading Label?
Was this label telling the truth?
For most part, the likelihood of suffering a food or drug related illness from mislabeled packaging is remote. That was until bio-terrorism threats reared its ugly head. Which no one can predict.
Yet, for those with specific food allergies or unique health conditions, proper labeling on products is imperative in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations. The addition of supplements and additives to food products poses another risk to consumers if it is discovered that the substance in question is harmful. Just look at what happed to Kellogg’s with its tainted packaging recall on cereal @
Packaging Recall
via Consumer Reports
Kellogg’s recalled 28 million boxes of cereal after consumers were sickened by an off-flavor and smell coming from package liners
It is therefore extremely important that consumers are made aware of specific dangers associated with food and food products, through accurate labeling, published warnings and their own investigation. Think about all the food products that have been recalled due to mislabeling at the manufacturers (especially allergy related). You can see a list of current recalls @ http://www.recalls.gov/rrusda.asp
Here are a few popular product statements to consider is this label telling the truth?
No sugar added or low carb?
The FDA has rules about labeling claims that specifically bar the use of “low” such as low-carb yet it has not established a standard for “low” for an ingredient or nutritional element (such
as the standard for low fat) So claims of low-carb on labels right now is actually illegal.
Have you seen must of the so called frozen diet entree’s (loaded with hidden sugar).
No MSG?
MSG is sometimes hidden in food with labels that say “No Added MSG” and “No MSG.”
Find out more at http://www.truthinlabeling.org/
Got Milk?
Well, is it really all its cracked up to be? The latest claims are touting drinking milk as a way to lose weight. See http://www.stoplabelinglies.com/ and decide for yourself.
100% natural! Natural what?
A product label will state: “made with 100% natural ingredients,” or “made with 100% organic ingredients.” The “100%” claim often refers to one or two ingredients, which are “100% natural” or “100% organic” even if other ingredients are synthetic. So the bottom line is what is “natural” when it describes a product?
“Unscented”
Yeah right, ever use any of these products? That unscented product is many times worse that the scented variety. Anyway unscented is a misnomer — it does not mean “without chemical fragrances.” If an item is labeled “unscented,” it may contain a masking fragrance (which is a chemical fragrance designed to “block” the smells of other chemicals in the product) and additional toxic chemicals.
So the question remains — When is a product packaging misleading in its descriptions and are the manufactures deliberately deceptive? No one knows for sure. Let the buyer beware! It’s up
to you the consumer to read the labels and make an informed decision as to the true benefits of a packaged product. Remember most products carry an 800 number on the package that you can call and ask about the product itself.
Think some other tips related deceptive labeling are important? How about your comments on these insights? Please let me know what you think and how we can turn packaging problems into packaging success.
At the very least show me that you care about packaging by “liking” this post please.
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