Here’s an edifying and amusing short video titled The Natural Effect by onlyorganic.org. It’s done as an interview with “The False Advertising Industry” and explains clearly what’s in foods appealingly advertised as “Natural”. In fact, the “Natural” – even “All Natural” and “100% Natural” – labels are largely meaningless. (Simon, 2013) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows foods to be labeled “Natural” when they certainly are not. According to the FDA website: “From a food science perspective, it is difficult to define a food product that is ‘natural’ because the food has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth. That said, FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances” (FDA, 2012) BTW, the FDA website is entitled “U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Protecting and Promoting Your Health”.
In fact, only the USDA Organic Seal guarantees your food contains no Genetically Modified or Engineered Organisms, no toxic pesticides, and no growth hormones or antibiotics. We’re all aware that the intent of manufacturers and advertisers is to sell products. We also know they present products in ways that deceive and manipulated us to buy them. This video shows how it’s done when the goal is to appeal to our desire to eat healthy food. WATCH The Natural Effect Video
Reading the ingredients list on Tostitos Hint of Lime All Natural, you may think, “Yes, those ingredients certainly seem to be all natural.” But keep in mind that 95% of sugar beets, 94% of soybeans, 90% of canola grown and 88% of field corn grown in the US are genetically modified so contribute to serious inflammation in the body along with destroying the soil’s microbiome. If Tostitos were using organic foods to make this product, you can be sure they’d note that prominently on the label.
Here’s another example – out of thousands:
The top 10 GMO foods to avoid:
For more on the serious dangers of growing and consuming genetically engineered foods, see The Soil’s Microbiome.
REFERENCES FDA. (4/4/2012). What is the meaning of ‘natural’ on the label of food? See http://www.fda.gov/aboutfda/transparency/basics/ucm214868.htm Only Organic. The Natural Effect. Watch video at http://youtu.be/AftZshnP8fs Simon, M. (2013). Ask a Food Lawyer: What does “natural” mean on food labels? Eat Drink Politics: Countering Industry Harm to Improve Public Health. See http://www.eatdrinkpolitics.com/2013/07/11/ask-a-food-lawyer-what-does-natural-mean-on-food-labels/ © Copyright 2014 Joan Rothchild Hardin. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this site or blog is intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.