On Friday, Dannon Company announced it had settled a class action suit to the tune of $35 Million. The lawsuit was filed in early 2008, alleging that Dannon knowingly misled consumers in its marketing activities around its Activia yogurt line. The massive false advertising campaign convinced shoppers to pay 30% more for yogurt containing “probiotic” bacteria because of the products’ supposed health benefits.
While no nutritionist doubts the health benefit of yogurt, the question asked is what’s so special about Activia’s probiotics compared to other brands, and in and of themselves. Seems like a judge was going to provide the answer, but executives at Dannon decided to fog things up by dishing out millions of dollars AND not admitting to any wrongdoing.
In case you are wondering, here’s what you’ll find inside Activia Strawberry Yogurt. Read more…
A 10 year old nephew recently nagged enough and got the above pictured “snack”. The product includes a “lemonade lollipop” to be dunked in a green “sour apple slime” and then coated with a “sour cherry powder”.
It’s the perfect eye-catching, tongue-pleasing treat for Spongebob Squarepants fans.
A package includes 1 serving with absolutely no nutritional value, but 21 grams of sugar (5 teaspoons worth).
Here is the ingredient list: Glucose syrup, Sugar, Dextrose, lactic acid, malic acid, water, artificial flavors, corn starch, geltain, preservatives (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate), and artificial colors (FD&C Red #3, Red #40, Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Blue #1 & Titanium Dioxide)
Glucose syrup, Sugar, Dextrose – all synonyms for sugar Lactic acid – a milk acid found in sour milk products. In most commercial uses it is derived not from milk but rather from bacteria that ferments non dairy foodstuff such as potatoes and molasses. It is found in foods as a pH-adjusting ingredient and/or as an antioxidant. Malic acid (E296) – provides tartness. Artificial flavors – we weren’t expecting anything natural here. Corn starch – used as a thickener Sodium Benzoate (E211) – a preservative used to prevent food from molding. When mixed with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) sodium benzoate transforms into benzene, a known carcinogen and DNA damager. Potassium Sorbate (E202) – a preservative that inhibits yeasts and molds. Considered safe. Artificial colors – though the FDA considers them safe, in Europe manufacturers are beginning to phase them out because some studies have shown that they can lead to hyperactive children.
So, not a single redeeming ingredient in here, except for the few drops of water in the “green slime”.
After reviewing this product, we can’t help but urge the company to reconsider its name and change it to Frankenfood Candy and Chocolate.
To the company’s merit, at least it is not trying to hide what it sells and make silly health claims like some of the bigger snack manufacturers out there.
What to do at the supermarket:
Would you let your kids have this as an occasional treat?
Sara Lee is the number one fresh bread manufacturer in the US, so there’s a good chance you’ll find some of their loaves in your local supermarket. We wanted to take a look at a product that caught our eye due to it’s somewhat oxymoronous name – how could a white bread be whole grain? Isn’t whole grain bread supposed to be, well, not white?
Ah the wonders of food science and marketing.
The company boasts, on the package, albeit in small print: Made with whole grain. 30% whole grain (This product provides 10 g of whole grain in a 2 slice serving. USDA recommends consuming 48 g of whole grain every day.).
Salutations, today is Cinco De Mayo. Originally a Mexican holiday commemorating a great military victory 150 years ago, it has come to symbolize, especially in the US, Mexican heritage day. A very important piece of that heritage is the scrumptious Mexican food so abundant here, especially in the southwest.
Today we’ll take a look at guacamole, Aztec for “Avocado Sauce”. The classic dip is composed of very basic ingredients – ripe avocados, onions, lime / lemon juice, salt and pepper. Additions include chili, tomatoes, and herbs and spices. (see our easy recipe below).
So how different can a supermarket guac dip be from the basic configuration described above?
We were S H O C K E D when we laid eyes on Dean’s Guacamole Dip.
Very healthy! Or at least that’s what new research, sponsored by ConAgra, has shown. Here’s the press release:
ConAgra Foods announced today new research that shows people who ate Healthy Choice(R) really did get healthier. Participants in the 24-week study, on average, lost 18 pounds – all as fat – trimmed their waistlines by about three inches, and lowered their cholesterol by 12 points. Leading cardiologist Dr. James Rippe, founder and director of the Rippe Lifestyle Institute, led the research team that conducted the study, which was presented during the 2009 Experimental Biology Conference April 18-22 in New Orleans, La.
Excuse us while we scratch our heads. How can The Rippe Institute conduct a truly objective study when it is being heftily paid by a company with a vested interest in a specific outcome?
Reading into the study, the people eating Helthy Choice got healthier because they were forced to excercise, eat only fruits, vegetables, lean meat and dairy, and whole grains. Oh, and one Healthy Choice meal once a day. How can the weight loss be attributed specifically to the frozen meal?
This press release is part of a huge rebranding of the Healthy Choice empire, including the introduction of new products, reformulation of some existing lines, and new packaging. ConAgra is estimated to be spending close to $100 million on this effort, including National TV Ads starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and web activities.
What you need to know:
While frozen dinners have made some headway over the past few years in terms of nutritional content, they still lag far behind home made food on several fronts:
1. high levels of salt – in the clip above, Julia Louis Dreyfus is stuffing herself silly with Sweet Asian Potstickers containing 600mg of sodium. That’s a quarter of the daily maximum value.
2. high levels of sugar – 19 grams or 4 teaspoonfuls. Hey, is this dessert?
3. too many ingredients* – here’s what’s inside the Sweet Asian Potstickers:
To be fair, most of the list above is actually understandable, and there are no freaky additives or preservatives in this dish. So when the food scientists want to, they can dish out healthy fare…
* We could not find the ingredient information on the Healthy Choice website. The customer support group did reply promptly to our email, though.
What to do at the supermarket:
If you really really can’t prepare your own food, and must grab something from the Frozen Dinner Aisle, take a look at health brands such as Healthy Choice and Lean Cuisine first. The brand does not automatically promise you’ll get a nutritious dish, but it improves the chances.
Proceed to check the ingredient list, scanning for unpronounceable chemicals, and then look at the sodium count. It should be in the neighborhood of 400-500mg or less. The sugar count should be lower than 12 grams. Usually the calorie count will be decent, because manufacturers know that’s the only number most people look at.
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Healthify your supermarket choices.
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