More and more, the term “organic” or “natural” is prominently displayed on the front of the food packages we purchase. We trust that they mean what they say. But how many of us know what they really stand for? While the meanings of many of these terms are regulated by law, it’s still easy to be deceived by them. The food may not be as good for you as these large and colorful words want you to believe. Manufacturers cannot legally lie on a food label, but they can stretch the truth a bit.
| Organic | “Organic’ refers not only to the food itself. but also to how it was produced.
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| Natural | The term “natural” applies broadly 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.Most foods labeled natural are not subject to government controls beyond the regulations and heath codes that apply to all foods with the exception of meat and poultry. Meat and poultry are required to be free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives and ingredients that do not occur naturally in the food. Natural meat and poultry must be minimally processed in a method that does not alter the raw product. In addition, the label should explain the use of the term natural, e.g., no artificial ingredients. |
| Pure | “Pure” has no regulated, agreed-upon meaning in food labeling. It tells you nothing about what’s in the package that perhaps should not be there. |
| “High” or a “Good source” | A “good source” claim may be made when a food contains 10-19% of the RDI or DRV (both declared on the label as the DV). A “high” claim may be made when a food contains at least 20% of the DV. |
| Made from… | “Made from” simply means the food started with this product. For example, the claim “made from 100 percent corn oil” may be technically correct, yet it is misleading. Consumers are led to believe they are eating 100 percent corn oil. The label really means the processor started with 100 percent corn oil, but along the way may have diluted or hydrogenated it, changing it into a fat that will clog your arteries. |
| Made from natural… | This simply means the manufacturer started with a natural source, but by the time the food was processed it may be anything but “natural.” |
| Made with real fruit… | “Made with real fruit” is a good example of a misleading claim. The law does not require the label to say how much real fruit is in the product. This boast is particularly prevalent in snacks for children, which may contain a grape or two in a snack that is otherwise mostly sugar. |
| Made from whole grains… | “Made with whole grains” is another little, “white” label lie. The consumer is led to believe that this is a whole-grain cereal or waffle, yet the package label is not legally required to say how much “whole grain” is in the product. Its main ingredient could be refined flour with just a small amount of whole wheat added. So, the food won’t contain all the fiber and other nutrients associated with whole grains.In fact, beware of any “made with…” claim you see on a package except the regulated “Made with organic ingredients”. |
| Enriched | “Enriched” is a tip-off that something bad was done to the food, requiring another process to put some of the good stuff back in. Enriched flour or enriched white bread are not as healthy as their whole wheat counterparts. |
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