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.
Package of snack chips containing seaweed makes claims for 4 nutrients
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- Created on 10, May, 2017
A snack chip containing seaweed, but made with mostly rice and oil, displays health claims on its packaging for iron, fiber, beta carotene and calcium.
"Superfoods" website sells products "high in antioxidants"
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- Created on 05, April, 2017
A California-based internet "superfood" retailer sells various products under the category of "antioxidant rich"...
Antioxidants and minerals in cinnamon
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- Created on 05, March, 2017
A wholesale source of ground cinnamon claims that cinnamon is high in antioxidants, fiber and various minerals (manganese, iron and calcium).
Package of pepitas says they are rich in zinc and magnesium
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- Created on 16, February, 2017
A package of roasted pumpkin seed kernels (pepitas) declares that pepitas are rich in zinc and an excellent source of magnesium.
Non-science writer pretends to understand sugar
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- Created on 04, January, 2017
A political writer describes how important it is to eliminate every gram of added sugar in the diet, because it is causing just about every disease currently feared.
Retail exec opens organic fast food chain
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- Created on 12, December, 2016
A former retail executive opened an organic fast food chain that cooks with coconut oil...claims that it's high in vitamin A...
Acai juice antioxidant claim checked
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- Created on 20, October, 2016
The label of a beverage containing mostly acai juice states, "antioxidant activity from vitamins A & E."
Cactus water claims get prickly
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- Created on 13, September, 2016
Various bottled waters containing prickly pear cactus "juice" and/or puree, along with other fruits or sweeteners have been trending, with claims of antioxidant and electrolyte content, among others...
Dried mulberries -- amazing source of vitamin C?
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- Created on 07, August, 2016
Packages of dried mulberries abound in the "healthier foods" marketplace. Most, if not all, show at least 100% DV for vitamin C in one serving.
Rating categories of foods "unhealthy"
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- Created on 13, July, 2016
A news article surveys nutritionist and consumer rankings of multi-ingredient foods, like pizza and granola bars, for healthfulness along with single-ingredient foods like kale and nuts.
Chia, nut snack claims and marketing missteps
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- Created on 03, June, 2016
A chia importer and snack food company professes commitment to transparency in its nutrition labels/claims, then misstates calcium content, omits required omega-3 labeling, and misleadingly describes the common sweetener, maltodextrin.
Peanut butter can "cure" chapped lips
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- Created on 08, May, 2016
An online health article claims various "superfoods" can "cure" various conditions such as chapped lips...
Fiber claim for white quinoa
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- Created on 14, April, 2016
A packaged white quinoa includes "fiber" in a list of health claims on the company's website.