Food/Nutrition Bloopers from Restaurants,
Food Companies, Web sites and News Media
The following are actual quotes or observations (the latest entries are at the top). Click for our comments. Some of these errors/misinformation have been subsequently corrected by their source and some have not.
Fruit Bar with Unsupported Antioxidant Claims
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- Created on 01, January, 2011
A dried fruit and nut bar has the word “antioxidant” on the front label. The nutrition panel shows 0% DV for vitamins A and C.
Antioxidant Boost from Hot Pepper Spices?
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- Created on 01, December, 2010
Web sites and food/nutrition blogs claim that cooking with cayenne and other hot pepper spices will give an “antioxidant boost.”
Dietitian Touts Brain-Building Foods
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- Created on 01, November, 2010
A dietitian interviewed by a medical news reporter touts brain-building foods.
Too Much Fiber?
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- Created on 01, October, 2010
A nutrition “expert” (RD) evaluates the nutrition data of a fast food dish for a newspaper article and declares the 65-115 g fiber to be too much.
USDA Approval of Nutrition Labels?
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- Created on 01, September, 2010
A nutrition analysis company says it provides “USDA-approved nutrition labels.”
High Omega-3 Fatty Acid Hot Dog
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- Created on 01, August, 2010
A hot dog made from grass-fed beef is advertised as high in omega-3 fatty acids.
"Superfruit" Preserve
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- Created on 01, July, 2010
An RD (dietitian) rates a “superfruit” preserve in a cooking magazine as a best new food for nutrition and taste.
10 Calorie Greek Salad
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- Created on 01, June, 2010
A restaurant nutrition app and Web site shows 10 calories for a Greek Salad.
Nutrition Facts on Front of Packages
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- Created on 01, May, 2010
An online news site states that FDA will require food manufacturers to display nutrition info on the front of packages.
Dietitian Declares Doughnuts Better than Bagels
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- Created on 01, April, 2010
In an online article a dietitian declares a jelly doughnut the nutritional “winner” over a bagel with cream cheese.
Herbs a Good Source of Iron and Calcium?
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- Created on 01, March, 2010
A health blog by a major newspaper (copied from a “healthy foods” web site) states that thyme is a good source of iron and calcium.
Listing of Sulfites in Ingredients
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- Created on 01, February, 2010
A Web article on little-known facts about nutrition labels states that sulfites don’t need to be declared in a product’s ingredients.
Light and Healthy Mac and Cheese?
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- Created on 01, January, 2010
A nutrition consultant/chef’s recipe for macaroni & cheese is described as “light and healthy” in a news article.