"All Natural" May Not Be So Natural

If you're a health conscious consumer, who shuns foods made from unnatural ingredients, you may be shocked to learn that just because a food label claims a product is "all natural" doesn't mean it really is. Currently, no government regulations or industry standards are in place to define the term.

Last year, Cadbury Schweppes and Kraft labeled beverages "natural" that contained high fructose corn syrup, but later removed the misleading claim after being threatened with lawsuits. They're not alone in their attempt to put a healthy spin on products as a result of the rising demand by consumers for healthier, natural fare.

Unfortunately, setting a standard for "natural" isn't about to happen any time soon. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently stated that it has no intention on defining "natural" in the near future, and will only do so if there is overwhelming evidence proving that people are being misled.

Therefore, if you're concerned about what goes into your mouth, don't trust the claims made on food labels. Take the time to read the ingredient labels on packaging.

Of course, buying products labeled "100% organic" are a safe bet. However, a healthier option over processed foods is choosing organic, whole foods--such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, eggs and dairy. They may take a little extra time to prepare into a meal, but are always the real deal.

Source: Foodnavigator-usa.com

Photo credit: USDA

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