What exactly does "natural" mean in regards to food....

[Fountain79]

Is there any government regulation as to what that requires. Example: "Natural" 7-up

[valerief]

1. I wonder about that, too. I think it means as much as Rich and

Creamy. Just a marketing term.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. No artifical flavors, preservatives, etc.

[LeftyMom]

3. There's not much regulation of "natural"

Terms like low fat and organic have standards. Natural could mean almost anything or nearly nothing. "Natural" meats especially can be just as nasty as anything else in the supermarket.

[valerief]

5. Found this link

http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/news/ng.asp?n=66212-sugar-association-natural-labeling

3/3/2006 - The Sugar Association has filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the establishment of a clear definition for the use of the term ‘natural’ on food and beverage product labels.

The petition claims that the current lack of a formal definition for the term has resulted in misleading claims and consumer confusion.

It requests the adoption of the definition of ‘natural' currently used by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for meat and poultry products. This states that products can only carry a ‘natural' claim if they contain no artificial or synthetic ingredients, and if they are minimally processed.

[idgiehkt]

4. no.

I don't think it means crap.

I think that with regards to any produce, there are certain standards for 'organic' although the gov't is trying to co-opt those. At the health food store where I used to work, produce that wasn't organic was labeled as 'conventional'. I don't think natural means anything federal.

I don't think that a soda, by definition, can be described as 'natural'.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

6. Soda can be 'natural.' It just needs all natural ingredients.

They even have organic sodas.

[ContraBass Black]

7. It means the person selling you the food thinks you're a sucker.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Yep.

It's essentially unregulated for most foodstuffs and weakly regulated for others.

Organic, low fat, reduced fat --those are terms with regulated definitions.

[graywarrior]

9. It hasn't shaved it's armpits.

[Fountain79]

12. You mean it's French???

Sorry...my pig moment for tonight...

[graywarrior]

14. No...hairy.

[Floogeldy]

10. Read me, very carefully.

This is not rocket science.

"Natural" means that healthy food which grows from the Earth, has not had any parts removed, and has nothing added to it (except possibly water for cooking, where appropriate).

It includes unprocessed (or only slightly processed) whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, beans nuts and seeds. Don't trust the fucking government, wholesalers or retailers to define this concept for you because I just did in a logical and truthful manner.

Any questions?

:)

[valerief]

11. Is that a legal definition of the Natural labeling or can the Natural

labeling mean anything the manufacturer wants it to mean? In March the Sugar Industry was petitioning for a legal definition of Natural.

[Floogeldy]

13. I think I made myself clear.

As far as the label goes, look for:

"Whole rolled oats."

"Basmati rice"

"Pinto beans"

"Bulgur wheat"

No labels on whole vegetables, fruits and legumes.

Get it? ;)

[valerief]

15. No. The issue is with the word Natural on a label, not a natural food.

What does Natural legally mean on a label, not conceptually what is a natural food.

[Floogeldy]

16. Well, if the issue is FDA regulations and what is allowed . . .

. . . with the word "Natural" on labels, that is a political question. My only answer is that any such legal meaning of "natural" has no place in the life of a person who wishes to consume truly natural foods

I was responding in terms what is really natural, regardless of any fucking government definition or a label on a product.

Clear it up any? ;)

[Monk06]

17. It means prepared fresh by......................

MR. NATURAL