Consumer Reports

The February 2009 issue of Consumer Reports on Health has a good writeup entitled Grocery-aisle gotchas. The erstwhile consumer information powerhouse has

put together a guide (see links, below) to some of the most confusing label claims. We’ve also looked at new labeling rules and trends that can make it easier for you to choose among products. And because food labeling still has a long way to go, we offer our take on what should be on a label—but sometimes isn’t.

While the list of gotchas is not comprehensive, it certainly illustrates how in every aisle of the supermarket good marketing helps consumers feel like they are eating healthfully when in fact they may be buying junk food in disguise. Here are the links to various topics discussed in the article:

Organic

Natural

Whole grains, cage-free

Health ratings

Made with, serving size

Health claims, nutritional claims

What should be on a label

What to do at the supermarket:

Ignore the health claims and go straight for the ingredient list and nutrition label. Even then, be suspicious of serving sizes that are too small, and ingredient lists longer than a Stephen King novel. By keeping to the supermarket perimeter and buying mostly unprocessed foods, you wont even need to read nutrition labels (fruits, vegetables..)

Get Fooducated: RSS Subscription or Email Subscription

Help us test our new food comparison tool: alpha.fooducate.com