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 Impossible Nutrition Data

A dried fruit bar that weighs 25 grams is labeled as having 18 g of fiber and 6 g sugars. The ingredients (which by law must be listed in descending order of predominance) are apple puree, apple concentrate, another fruit concentrate, and a proprietary fruit extract. 

Mislabeled Popcorn Snack

A new popcorn snack is labeled and advertised as “low in fat and calories” and as a “healthy snack.”

Misinformation about Dietary Cholesterol

A major UK grocery chain spokesman is quoted saying, “heart disease … is primarily caused by bad diets with food too high in cholesterol which clog the arteries.”

"Healthier" Soybean Oil

Major newspapers reported that a new variety of soybean being grown in the U.S. produces a “healthier” oil. The new beans contain 1-3% linolenic acid, rather than the 7% found in regular soybeans. 

Cookie with Fiber and Omega-3 Claims

A 2.2 oz, 293 calorie packaged cookie advertises “high fiber” on the package and “excellent source of omega 3” on the Web site. 

More Acai Berry Claims

A beverage containing acai berries is marketed as having the same essential fatty acids (EFAs) as in fish.

"Super-Healthy" Cookie Dough?

A new line of “100% whole grain” cookie dough is being touted as “super-healthy.” The cookie dough, sold in two flavors to the food service market, is further described in press releases as “two of the most…nutritious products to ever hit the market.” A nutrition facts panel at the manufacturer’s Web site shows one serving of the chocolate chip version to contain 13 g fat and 5 g saturated fat.

Low Calorie Holiday Salad?

A weekly supermarket circular recommends (for eating light during the holidays) a crab meat and hazelnut salad over fresh salad greens; that it’s “just over 300 calories.” 

Calories from Sodium?

A weekly magazine states that too many of our calories “come from fat… and sodium”

"No Added Sugar" Muffins

An “all natural bakery,” whose products can be found in natural foods stores, labels its packaged muffins “no sugar added.” 

Nutrient Claims without Nutrition Facts

A package of fruit turnovers baked locally and sold at a grocery store is labeled “trans fat free.” No nutrition information is provided.

Acai Berry Nutrient Claims for Protein, etc.

An online news article for food retailers describes the acai berry (grown in Brazil) as having “more protein than an average egg” in addition to a host of “vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids busting from each berry.” 

Cereal Claims "High in Fiber and Protein"

A newspaper article about the advertising of “better-for-you” processed foods describes a new breakfast cereal with 2 g fiber and 6 g protein as “high in fiber and protein.”

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