Food/Nutrition Bloopers from Restaurants,
Food Companies, Web sites and News Media
The following are actual quotes or observations (the latest entries are at the top). Click for our comments. Some of these errors/misinformation have been subsequently corrected by their source and some have not.
Is Butter Low-Fat in a Smaller Serving Size?
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- Created on 01, November, 2007
A health & fitness blog states that butter legally could be called “low fat” just by specifying a very small serving size, because FDA rules do not define serving sizes.
Use of Term "Low Glycemic"
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- Created on 01, October, 2007
The Web site for an agave sweetener states that it is an FDA violation to claim a product is “low glycemic” when it isn’t.
Protein in Broccoli
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- Created on 01, September, 2007
A health/cooking magazine describes broccoli as a "very good source of protein."
Nutrition Label - Percentage of Calories
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- Created on 01, August, 2007
A health/nutrition blog states that nutrition labels must list the percentage of a food’s calories coming from fat, sugar, protein and carbohydrates.
Goji Berry Nutrition Claims
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- Created on 01, July, 2007
A news article states numerous nutrition claims about a dried berry from China (goji berry, aka wolfberry).
Trans Fats - Only Recently Denounced?
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- Created on 01, June, 2007
A news article states that until recently trans fat was considered a healthier alternative to saturated fats.
"Healthy" Snack Chips?
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- Created on 01, May, 2007
A newspaper review of healthier snacks describes various chips as “low-fat,” high in fiber, and made with trans fat-free oils.
Are Nutrition/Health Claims on Foods Regulated?
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- Created on 01, April, 2007
A dietitian quoted in an online news article says that nutrition and health claims on food packages are not regulated.
Sodium in Sodas
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- Created on 01, February, 2007
A medical doctor/reporter on cable news states that soft drinks (sodas) are high in sodium.
Wrong Nutrition on Minestrone Soup
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- Created on 01, January, 2007
A can of store brand minestrone soup shows 0% vitamin A and 15% vitamin C. The first ingredient listed (after water) is carrots.
Heart-Healthy Chocolate Bar?
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- Created on 01, December, 2006
A chocolate bar containing plant sterol esters is promoted as being good for heart health. The bar contains 3.5 g saturated fat per serving.
"Evaporated Cane Juice"
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- Created on 01, November, 2006
An article in a health magazine states that evaporated cane juice is healthier than regular sugar, and recommends a fruit-flavored candy product because it is sweetened with cane juice, which, it is implied, will not cause “insulin spikes.”
Antioxidants and Acai Berry in Juice
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- Created on 01, October, 2006
An online food & beverage news article states that a drink made with acai berries has more antioxidants than any similar beverage, and quotes the manufacturer as saying that the acai berry has more antioxidants than any other fruit on earth.