About a year ago, I told you about these new Smart Choices nutrition labels designed to make it easier for us to spot healthier foods. Now, I’m starting to think they’re a bad idea. The green check mark has been showing up on hundreds of packages of foods including sugar-laden cereals like Cocoa Krispies and Froot Loops!
In my opinion, this really takes away from the credibility of the new system and sends out an unhealthy message. The program defends the products it endorses, including sweet cereals, saying Froot Loops are “better than other things parents could choose for their children.” Seriously?
Check out the ingredient list. The first thing listed is SUGAR. How can that possibly be a smart choice? Especially with the recent recommendations from the American Heart Association saying Americans need to cut WAY back on sugar.
Before it can be considered for the Smart Choices program, every product must meet criteria for nutrients to limit, based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For added sugars, that’s a maximum of 25 percent of total calories. So, does this really make Froot Loops and other sugary cereals a “smart choice”… or just another marketing gimmick?
That’s ridiculous! Maybe Smart Choices doesn’t want to piss off the big companies for fear of being decimated. That’s my (serious) guess. Or maybe they’re being paid by the big companies to Smart certify their product. I need to contact this “Stupid Choices” program.
Loaded with sugar and partially hydrogenated oils (aka there’s trans fat in there) to boot! Sounds like a smart choice to me! (Sarcasm dripping.) Really, what nutritionist in their right mind would sign off on a program like this?
Yum Yucky – Yes, I do believe companies who participate in the program have to pay.
I saw this and couldn’t help but wonder if the ultimate backer of this program is the commodity traders on Wall Street. Sugar is in, apparently.
Cammy – I know!