Attorney General: ‘Smart Choices’ not always the smartest
The Smart Choices food labeling program came under fire from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who questioned the justification for labeling products like mayonnaise and sugary cereals “smart.”
The Smart Choices food labeling program came under fire from Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who questioned the justification for labeling products like mayonnaise and sugary cereals “smart.”
Noting that Hellmann’s mayonnaise and Cocoa Puffs cereal were tagged as Smart Choices, Blumenthal said that “meaningful nutritional information is welcome, but not faux food facts.”
In a sharply worded rebuke, Blumenthal castigated the Smart Choices program for presenting food labels that were “false and misleading.” Such labels, he said, could “delay” the “prevention of obesity and malnutrition.”
Obesity, in particular, is a growing problem in America. Obese people live shorter lives and have an increased risk of contracting heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions.
Blumenthal hoped to ascertain the methods by which the Smart Choices program is administered and seek out any connections between food manufacturer payments and Smart Choice certification.
Coming on the tail of Blumenthal’s criticism was a report by market research firm NPD, which indicated that healthy eating habits in children are closely aligned with those of their mothers. The report’s author, Dori Hickey, suggests that “the food and beverage industry can help” expand families’ nutrition knowledge.
Learn how easy and convenient shopping for health insurance can be. Get your free health insurance quotes today!
Posted: October 19, 2009
Related Health Insurance Articles
- Law ensures uninterrupted health insurance for college students October 19, 2009
- Health insurance costs projected to rise in the coming years October 16, 2009
- Health insurance debate focusing more on well-being October 15, 2009
- Report stresses importance of health insurance earlier in life October 13, 2009
- Health insurance burden grows for many workers October 9, 2009
- Diagnosis and treatment, health insurance key to living to 100 October 8, 2009
- Health insurance bill could penalize those who go without coverage October 8, 2009
- Possible link found between aspirin and colon cancer reduction could lead to lower health insurance rates October 7, 2009
- Preventive medicine can be as important as health insurance October 6, 2009
- Health insurance protects in case of sudden hospitalization October 6, 2009
- Excessive sugar consumption can raise health insurance costs October 2, 2009
