Industry pushes for a new 'natural' label

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Interesting article!

 

BTW - This is a good trade mag for the folks here who are in the trade

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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*http://tinyurl.com/23l3nm*

 

 

Industry pushes for a new 'natural' label

Meghan Rabbitt

 

6/1/2007 3:58:32 PM

 

Walk into any food store and it's clear that manufacturers are hoping to

target consumers' increased interest in natural and organic fare.

Everything from organic Oreos to all-natural nacho chips lure customers

into believing that even if these products aren't as nutritious as what

they pick up in, say, the produce aisle, they're still better than their

non-natural alternatives.

 

But while the U. S. Department of Agriculture has extensive—and closely

regulated—requirements for the organic label, its definition of natural,

which applies only to meat and poultry, leaves much to be interpreted,

according to consumer interest groups and even many livestock producers.

And the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food labeling and

packaging, has no official definition for the term.

 

" Companies have a grab bag full of claims they can make, " says Michael

Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public

Interest. " Calling a product natural implies that it's healthier, but

many times they are packed with very unnatural ingredients, like high

fructose corn syrup. It's a trick, and we need better regulation from

the government. "

 

Read the remainder of the article here:

 

http://www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com/ASP/articleDisplay.asp?strArticleId=2393\

& strSite=NFMSite & Screen=HOME

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