Food cos. dropping Smart Choices labeling

[The Straight Story]

Food cos. dropping Smart Choices labeling

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- U.S. food manufacturers say they are moving away from an industry-devised labeling campaign meant to spotlight the nutritional benefits of their products.

PepsiCo and Kellogg's have announced they are phasing out the Smart Choices labeling campaign, which sports a green checkmark on the front of packages, The New York Times reported Saturday.

Officials of the Smart Choices program told the newspaper most of its operations would be suspended. The move comes after the labels received criticism from state and federal authorities who say they could mislead consumers into thinking processed foods high in sugar were an adequate substitute for healthier foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

"I regard it as a partial victory," Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told the Times. He has begun an investigation into the program to determine if the labeling campaign violated his state's consumer protection law and has reportedly urged more companies to pull out of the program.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2009/10/24/Food-cos-dropping-Smart-Choices-labeling/UPI-18371256393278/

[imdjh]

1. We definitely could use some improvement in labeling laws. Especially product origin.

You go through the grocery store, and some products are properly labeled, "Product of USA" or "Product of Thailand". Others simply say, "Distributed by Publix Supermarkets, Lakeland Florida" or "..... Wal-mart Bentonville AR".

I would like to see a law which requires country and region of origin. So a bottle of Guava juice might say, "Product of Guam, USA" or a t-shirt might say, "Made in Micronesia, USA" which will allow American consumers to choose to buy products in places covered by minwage and other labor laws.

Mostly, I don't want to eat lettuce grown in sewage in Laos or something.

[HillbillyBob]

4. Unfortunately those workers are not paid the same minimum wage

as in the States, these are 'protectorates' IE colonies and the citizens do not enjoy the same protections afforded us. The pukes made sure of that.

We are trying to buy most of our food locally as in grown nearby.
I know you can't get everything local, but we do as much as we can.

Google up Abramoff, Delay and the Mariannas islands while it is a protectorate, they hire Chinese labor, pay them squat, make them live in 'company' housing and are nothing short of slaves. Some of the more attractive women are pressed into slave like conditions for prostitution.

[imdjh]

5. That's why I want region. So I know if it was made in Samoa or Ohio

[asjr]

2. There will always be a logo thought up

by the big conglomerations to try to fool us. They can't help themselves.

[sharp_stick]

3. Damn, how will I know what mayo to buy now?

Seriously, the mayo in the fridge has the little Smart Choices checkmark on it. There isn't a single positive on the label about nutritional value, not one, but it still has that little check mark on it. The only reason I can think of for putting that little checkmark on it is to try to fool people into thinking the goop is at least a little bit good for you.

The goop is good, don't get me wrong, I love mayo but there is not a chance in hell it's even a little bit good for me.

[imdjh]

6. Yeah, Lite Mayo is kind of like Lite Heroin. Better than regular strength, unless....

.... you use twice as much.