"egregiously inaccurate" food labels

[tamarian]

Tuesday November 14, 5:20 am Eastern Time

Press Release

SOURCE: PowerBar Inc.

Creator of Energy Bar Category, PowerBar Inc., Upholds Labeling Standards, Continues to Lead $520 Million Category

Nutrition Bars: Which Labels Can Be Trusted?

BERKELEY, Calif., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week's expose on television's ``Extra: The Entertainment Magazine'' revealed that several high profile health-oriented energy bar manufacturers are misleading consumers with false nutritional labeling.

``Extra'' worked with food scientist Marvin Winston to test the actual amount of fat present in ten different energy bars compared to the amount reported in each bar's ingredient label. The results: Winston discovered inaccuracies in bars from manufacturers Clif, Met-Rx and Kashi. In each case, the bar's fat content is significantly higher than what consumers read on the wrapper.

``Extra's'' food scientist isn't the only one to recently discover false claims, and fat is not the only area for nutritional content mislabeling. Studies conducted by two independent laboratories and funded by PowerBar Inc. revealed that the carbohydrate levels listed on the nutritional labels of several top-selling protein bars were egregiously inaccurate. Studies have also shown that these top protein bars are being manufactured with incomplete proteins and are misrepresenting the percent Daily Value of protein contained in the bar.

``As more and more people are seeking convenient nutrition, energy bars are no longer 'just for athletes,''' said PowerBar General Manager Cindy Vallar. ``With over one hundred bar manufacturers currently competing for market share in the category, it is crucial that we remain true to the integrity of the product we put on shelves for consumers. The mislabeling of bars by numerous manufacturers is creating a negative impact on the entire category.''

The Food and Drug Administration along with top retailers are aware of these mislabeling issues and, sources say, plan to enforce accurate labeling in 2001.

PowerBar created the energy bar over fifteen years ago in an effort to supply athletes with a convenient, nutritional and easily digestible food source. Today, it continues to lead the estimated $520 million category it created and upholds all labeling regulations (source: SPINS/IRI.)

For further information, please contact Kathleen Boyle, Stanwood & Partners Public Relations, at 307-733-1514 or [email protected].

SOURCE: PowerBar Inc.

[doreen T]

Originally posted by tamarian
Studies conducted ....... revealed that the carbohydrate levels listed on the nutritional labels of several top-selling protein bars were egregiously inaccurate. .....
The Food and Drug Administration ......plan to enforce accurate labeling in 2001.



Hmmm, do you suppose this means they might finally start accurately disclosing the carb count for "sugar-free" chocolates and candies made with maltitol or sorbitol??

Just some food for thought :)
Doreen

[tamarian]

Originally posted by doreen T

Hmmm, do you suppose this means they might finally start accurately disclosing the carb count for "sugar-free" chocolates and candies made with maltitol or sorbitol??


Most likely, there's growing pressure by consumers for accurate labeling, as demonstrated recently by the new Canadian food labeling standards:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/releases/2000/2000_103e.htm

Regardless of what diet one follows, information must be provided for individuals to consider. For example, most of us agree that fiber shouldn't be counted as carbs. I would prefer that the label tells me how many carbs are there, including fiber, and how many grams of fiber are there. I prefer to make the decision myself to substract the fiber, rather than the label doing it for me with no indication of what formula they applied.

The sooner the better!

Wa'il