Reaction to Food Marketing

My classmate Marcie Barnes wrote a well-researched post on her blog blasting the mislabeling of nutritional information. But it is still too easy for food manufacturers to successfully lobby and alter the information consumers need to purchase food.

I can remember one particular instance where the federal Food and Drug Administration changed the labeling requirement for Olestra — the zero calorie fat substitute developed by Procter & Gamble Co. found in certain snack foods (say potato chips) in the mid-1990s. The substance produced several nasty gastrointestinal side effects including abdominal cramping, loose stools and inhibiting the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K and other nutrients in some people.

The label read: “This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added.”

In a September 1999 position paper written by Frances B. Smith, executive director of Stop Labeling Lies, she wrote:

“The alleged intent was to provide some consumers with information that would help them make a more informed decision about purchasing and using the product; it can be characterized as “Take care — you may be especially sensitive to the fact that Olestra is not digested by the body.”

In 2003, the FDA removed the warning because it “conducted a scientific review of several post-market studies submitted by P&G, as well as adverse event reports submitted by P&G and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. FDA concluded that the label statement was no longer warranted.”

The FDA did require manufacturers to continue adding Vitamins A, D, E, and K to such products.