The Food and Drug Administration came down on Nestlé earlier this month for marketing its childrens’ juice boxes as “medical” foods. I think they're doing them a favor - who wants to eat food called "medical"?
In a letter, the FDA said the company mislabeled its Boost drink, which comes in flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, “as a medical food for the medical condition of ‘failure to thrive’ and also for ‘pre/post surgery, injury or trauma, chronic illnesses.’” According to federal guidelines, the letter explains, “medical foods must be for the dietary management of a specific disorder, disease, or condition for which there are distinctive nutritional requirements and must be intended to be used under medical supervision.” Does “failure to thrive” really count as a disease, or exist as a medical condition?
But there’s more. A second letter criticizes Nestlé's Juicy Juice line for, among other things, claiming the drink “helps support brain development” in children younger than 2. Also, the letter said the labels “may lead consumers to believe that the products are 100% orange/tangerine juice or 100% grape juice when, in fact, they are not.”A Nestlé representative said the company would fully cooperate with the FDA.
Nestlé isn’t the first company to be accused of playing fast and loose with food labels to tug on those parental guilt strings. There are many more common claims that that are designed not raise federal ire. The phrases “whole grain” and “good source of ___” are some of the more common ones. Consumer Reports’ and thier ShopSmart guide to tricky lingo - number six on the list, regarding Cheerios and the lowering of cholesterol, might sound remarkably similar to the FDA’s issue with Nestlé.
It should be noted that the tagline on their website says "Nestlé is a Nutrition, Health and Wellness company committed to increasing the nutritional value of our food while improving the taste."
In a letter, the FDA said the company mislabeled its Boost drink, which comes in flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, “as a medical food for the medical condition of ‘failure to thrive’ and also for ‘pre/post surgery, injury or trauma, chronic illnesses.’” According to federal guidelines, the letter explains, “medical foods must be for the dietary management of a specific disorder, disease, or condition for which there are distinctive nutritional requirements and must be intended to be used under medical supervision.” Does “failure to thrive” really count as a disease, or exist as a medical condition?But there’s more. A second letter criticizes Nestlé's Juicy Juice line for, among other things, claiming the drink “helps support brain development” in children younger than 2. Also, the letter said the labels “may lead consumers to believe that the products are 100% orange/tangerine juice or 100% grape juice when, in fact, they are not.”A Nestlé representative said the company would fully cooperate with the FDA.
Nestlé isn’t the first company to be accused of playing fast and loose with food labels to tug on those parental guilt strings. There are many more common claims that that are designed not raise federal ire. The phrases “whole grain” and “good source of ___” are some of the more common ones. Consumer Reports’ and thier ShopSmart guide to tricky lingo - number six on the list, regarding Cheerios and the lowering of cholesterol, might sound remarkably similar to the FDA’s issue with Nestlé.
It should be noted that the tagline on their website says "Nestlé is a Nutrition, Health and Wellness company committed to increasing the nutritional value of our food while improving the taste."
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