In 2007, Coca-Cola marketed the Diet Coke Plus with a tagline of "a good source of vitamins B3, B6, and B12, and the minerals zinc and magnesium." Now, the FDA has issued a warning letter to Coke for their "mislabeling of it claims.
The "plus" to a product can only be used if the product has at least 10% or more of the Reference Daily Intake or Reference Daily Value. Apparently, Diet Coke Plus's nutrient content fell short on this. The FDA also said in their letter that they felt it wasn't appropriate to fortify snacks like carbonated beverages.
Truly, this doesn't surprise me. Soft drink companies and alike continuously try to reach sales of their products by adding new marketing schemes. I no longer drink soft drinks, but I keep coming back to those who do and wondering whether people really believe you can get sufficient vitamins and minerals from these substances.
Fortification, in general, has been around for a long time. Most notably, cereals are on the most fortified products, however, I'm seeing a lot of other nutrients added to products. For example, omega-3 is now available in some yogurt. Fiber is now in splenda! Tell me how
that one makes sense? With each fortification, strict rules apply in accordance to the FDA
guidelines. And even with the correct labeling, it can still leave consumers confused.
Source: Scientific American
6 comments:
Whilst this is clearly very hinkey behaviour, I'd have to question the sanity of anyone who was drinking a product made by coca-cola for the supposed health benefits. A company that used to use their own soft drink to clean out the engines of their transport fleet would be my last choice for liquid refreshment! Pass me the orange juice!!
Lola x
FIBER is in Splenda??? Get OUT!
Lola, I agree too! I think there are really no nutritional benefits to soda, diet or not.
GBML, yeah, it's insane!
It makes me wonder how beneficial nutrient fortification is in things that aren't "supposed" to have those nutrients. I mean, how well can you absorb the fiber from Splenda?
Kara, I know it does sound bizarre to me as well. Fortification can be good for some things, but when you're adding it to substances with little to no nutritional value, it seems like a moot point anyway.
You don't absorb fiber. Some kinds absorb water and take it through your system, others are good just because they make you feel full.
But a person definitely eliminates all the fiber they take in.
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