Experts deconstruct ‘healthy’ food labels – some are just marketing ploys

health

by alexandra klausner

There is health and “health.”

Labels that promise “all-natural,” “organic,” “naturally grown,” “non-GMO,” and “free-range” ingredients reassure shoppers that the food they are about to consume is proven to be healthy. Let me know that you are there. Or is it?

National Geographic has explained some common terms related to health food packaging to help make your health food shopping experience easier to understand.

organic

To be labeled USD Organic, products must meet a detailed list of requirements and be made with at least 95% organic ingredients.

Organic products are grown without pesticides or fertilizers and do not contain artificial colors or preservatives. It is also not genetically modified. In other words, it is not a genetically modified organism (GMO). However, not all GMOs are organic.

Organic farmers also use processes that “promote resource circulation, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, and conserve biodiversity.” must be used, the USDA website explains.

“While this may sound great, there is no convincing evidence that organic foods are safer or more nutritious,” said Dr. Robert Pearlberg told Nat Geo.

Although foods are low in pesticides, those on a budget should focus on finding healthy foods rather than organic foods.

non-gmo

There is no nutritional difference between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods. Although these are also considered to be as safe as other foods, some consumers still want to know if they are safe. The Non-GMO Project defines GMOs as genetic modification at any point during food production.

Genetically modified crops grown in the United States for food and livestock feed include corn, soybeans, and sugar beets.

Here’s how to tell if a product’s DNA contains genetically modified material: Non-GMO Project Verified Label.

Non-GMO foods cost 10 to 75 percent more, and experts warn that labels can become just a marketing tool.

Naturally grown certified

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) has similar requirements to organic, meaning it is not produced using chemicals or GMOs.

“Natural Grown Certification means the food was grown without the use of synthetic ingredients or genetically modified crops, and the farmer’s practices have been verified through a peer-reviewed testing process,” said Executive Director of Natural Grown Certification, Inc. , Alice Varon told Nat Geo. The label indicates that it is locally grown and contains minimally processed or unprocessed foods such as produce, salsa, honey, and sauerkraut.

They do not do post-production lab testing, so some foods may be contaminated with GMOs due to cross-pollination in GMO corn fields, for example.

free range in nature

Chris Berry, an associate professor of marketing at Colorado State University, says there are no formal definitions for these terms.

Although these terms are sometimes used as a marketing strategy, they are untested and unregulated compared to USDA organic foods and CNG foods.