Originally published June 6 2005
UK calling for a stop to false health claims on junk food packaging
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Food companies in the U.K. have been accused of falsely trumping up foods high in salt and sugar as "healthy." Popular brands of snacks and cereal frequently use misleading labeling and packaging saying the product is fortified with vitamins and minerals, or low fat, when it also contains high doses of sugar and salt. A survey by the consumer group Which? revealed that 98 percent of consumers believe health claims should be proven before they can be used, and 62 percent believe foods high in sugar should not be marketed as "low fat."
Words such as 'low-fat', 'nutritious' or 'fortified' are liberally plastered across big brands.
Consumer groups believe shoppers are effectively being conned, however, because often these foods do not live up to the hype.
Breakfast cereals and snacks, for example, might be loaded with salt or sugar.
The scandal was highlighted by consumer lobby group Which?, which is calling on the European Parliament to back labelling controls which would outlaw misleading claims.
The research found that 62 per cent believe manufacturers should not be allowed to make a low-fat claim on packaging if the product is also high in sugar.
Nestl?laims its Cheerios cereal "may be an easy way to keep your heart healthy".
But it is relatively high in salt, which is linked to high blood pressure.
Nesquik Chocolate Flavour Toasted Rice and Corn Cereal from Nestl?oasts it is "fortified with 8 vitamins and iron' and has 'added calcium."
However, it also contains 37.7g of sugar per 100g which is almost four times higher than the amount classed as 'a lot' by the Food Standards Agency.
Sour Cream & Herbs Flavour Crispy Rice Crackers claim to be a 'healthier option'.
and 38 European consumer organisations are urging MEPs to support the need for verification of health and nutrition claims and clear nutrition criteria when they vote on labelling legislation on Thursday.
The groups are concerned that initial proposals to control label claims were dumped by a committee of MEPs following intense lobbying by the food industry.
"We hope that MEPs will support both the establishment of nutritional profiles and the authorisation requirement for new claims.
Products with high levels of sugar salt or fat may taste good, and may be eaten occasionally, but they should not be promoted as healthy."
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