Here on Culinate, we’ve applauded the dietary benefits of consuming probiotics while warning readers to beware unsubstantiated manufacturer health claims. Now Forbes magazine is investigating the same issue, reporting that misleading labels can make consumers confuse their food with miracle pills.
The skinny? Adding probiotics (or omega-3s, or other supposed superfoods) to a food product may not actually do much for you, but the manufacturer can certainly charge you more for it.
“Foods masquerading as drugs are the hot spot in the packaged-food business,” reported Forbes. “More than 2,000 so-called functional food brands generated $31 billion in U.S. sales in 2008, up 14 percent from 2006, according to the market researcher Packaged Facts.”
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1. by Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks on Jun 16, 2010 at 11:03 AM PDT
A health claim on any food item is a red flag that it’s processed junk. I prefer to get my micro-nutrients from macro foods, thanks very much!
2. by cynthia ryan on Dec 18, 2010 at 8:59 PM PST
Amen, Coco!
Redux of what I said elsewhere: it’s about time the government stepped in and did something about all these ridiculous advertising claims and gimmicks.
I used to use Activa before I stopped using all commercially flavored yogurts. I got disgusted with the amounts of sugar I was getting in all these ‘flavored’ yogurts - in addition to the expense.
We now just buy the White Mountain Bulgarian whole milk yogurt (not to be confused with Mountain High brand). As far as my ‘digestion’ is concerned, it ‘works’ every bit as good, is far tastier -with a bit of my homemade low-sugar jam, maple syrup or agave nectar on it - or even plain, and less expensive.
Buying White Mountain also supports a more local economy rather than the ‘gi-normous’ industrial faux foods corporation. Just a thought
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