Beware of Misleading Brand Names, Slogans and Logos

Friday, November 12, 2010 by: Fleur Hupston
Tags: brand names, misleading, health news

(NewsTarget) Manufactures often use misleading brand names, logos and slogans in an effort to dupe health conscious consumers into buying their products. Natural news has alerted readers to the dishonesty of advertisements for years. Constant vigilance is necessary when making purchases of everything from fresh vegetables, to health supplements to personal care products.

A good example is the 1976 slogan in which a soft drink manufacturer claimed that their product "Adds Life", thus giving consumers the impression that the product was not only refreshing, but also somehow added to their well-being. The slogan should have read something to the effect that the product "is addictive, will rot teeth and will contribute to obesity and diabetes". Tobacco companies have typically used beautiful, young, wealthy-looking models with perfect teeth to advertise their products, when the "grim reaper" would be more appropriate.

Unfortunately, not much has changed. In the last decade "natural", "organic" and "green" have become the new buzz words and companies freely use these words to make gullible consumers think their products are a healthy choice.

Don`t Read Slogans - Read Labels

Take the time to read labels on packaging to find out what exactly it is you are buying. Packaged cereal such as muesli is considered by many to be an excellent breakfast choice. However, a closer look at the ingredient list will reveal that many muesli products are packed with refined sugar, fat and preservatives. Don`t be fooled by slogans such as "Nature`s Choice", "Nature`s Best" or "Happy and Healthy". These slogans imply that the contents are nutritious and wholesome when they are often far from it.

Manufacturers will also try to get around legislation regarding honest labeling. For example, in Australia and New Zealand, the word "light" can only be used if the ingredients it refers to meets the criteria for low fat and sugar content. However, companies increasingly use the word "lite" to get past this requirement.

When Organic Doesn`t mean Organic

Shampoo manufacturers are notorious for dishonest labeling. "Organic" is a favorite word they use, suggesting of course, that their product is a healthy organic product with which to wash hair. Careful scrutiny of the ingredient list will reveal that many shampoos with this slogan are as far from being organic as the next cheap, toxic shampoo on the shelf.

Golden Syrup is not Honey

Golden syrup is a pale treacle made during the process of refining sugar cane juice into sugar; or by treatment of a sugar solution with acid. While it may have an appearance similar to honey and is often used as a substitute for honey, it is a pure cane sugar product. Slogans on the can may lead the consumer to believe that syrup is the same as honey.

Don`t be fooled by misleading brand names, slogans and pictures. Be informed about the products you use. Research the product if you can, or at the very least, read the ingredients listed on the packaging. A good place to start is to search on Natural News to see if there has been any information written on a particular product or its ingredients.

Sources:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/review-aim...
http://www.angelfire.com/oh/cocacolaantiques...
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/hair-care/organics/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_syrup
http://www.hub-uk.com/family21/family1018.ht...

About the author

Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.