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.
Popular "diet foods" called fattening
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- Created on 07, July, 2015
A magazine article that quotes "diet doctors." nutrition professors and health psychologists claims that many foods consumed by dieters can make them fat. Among those foods are hummus, nuts, grapes and kale...
Gluten-free crunchy cheese snack with 10 g protein
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- Created on 15, May, 2015
A gluten-free dried cheese snack made from Parmesan cheese "with quinoa and ancient grains" declares 10 g protein on the front of the package and only 75 calories on the nutrition panel.
Award-winning Gluten-free Brownie Mix Nutrition Reality
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- Created on 04, March, 2015
A gluten-free brownie mix that won a major trade show award (for natural/health foods) contains 17 grams sugar per serving and 1 gram fiber.
Website states its cookies and cereals are good source of vitamins, minerals
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- Created on 03, February, 2015
A manufacturer of foods targeted to kids states on its website that the cookies and cereals are good sources of various vitamins, minerals and omega-3 ALAs (alpha-linolenic acid -- the plant-derived source of omega-3 fatty acids).
Nutritionist Suggests Low-Starch Diet for Better Skin
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- Created on 05, January, 2015
A holistic nutritionist writing for a major magazine recommends a low-starch diet for good skin, because starches are "difficult to digest."
Antioxidant Claim for Iced Green Tea with "Super Fruit"
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- Created on 04, December, 2014
The website for an iced green tea flavored with fruits that are "rich in antioxidants" states that there are 140 mg antioxidants in one serving.
Bottled Cocktail Labeled "Low-Calorie"
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- Created on 04, November, 2014
A bottled margarita is claimed to be low in calories, with only 41 calories per 1.5 oz.
Vitamin C from Nuts & Seeds?
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- Created on 05, October, 2014
A new nut and seed butter shows unusually high amounts of vitamin C in the Nutrition Facts panel. Is this possible?
Apple Cider Vinegar as Health Remedy
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- Created on 07, September, 2014
Many websites and store shelves are proclaiming a wide variety of health benefits for apple cider vinegar, including lowering cholesterol, strengthening bones and teeth, and weight loss.
When Can Ingredient Lists be Omitted?
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- Created on 05, August, 2014
A local farm market/retailer packages its own dried fruit and other snack items. Many of the packages list only the main ingredient (e.g., cantaloupe or pineapple), even when sugar and/or other ingredients have been added as part of the preservation or preparation process.
Kale Juices "Extremely High" in Calcium?
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- Created on 05, July, 2014
A company that makes raw juice blend drinks containing whole kale claims that the drinks are "extremely high" in calcium and potassium, and makes health claims such as, "it will help you absorb minerals."
Coconut Palm Sugar - Nutrient Superstar?
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- Created on 10, June, 2014
Marketing materials for coconut palm sugar describe it as having "super-nutrient qualities," and a low glycemic index.
Crackers with Missing Ingredients and Nutrition
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- Created on 01, May, 2014
A flourless cracker/crisp made with cheese and prosciutto lists "prosciutto crumbles" in the ingredients, and only 4 g fat per serving.