Health & Medical Nutrition

Are Claims about Nutritional Products Always Legitimate?

Nutritional products generally market themselves based on what they contain and, even more so, on the amounts of the various substances they contain.
And its probably a safe bet to assume that, for the most part, the average citizen simply accepts these claims at face value.
After all, why would a company that sells nutrition products make a false claim? "Somewhat false" we naturally tend to assume, of course.
But blatantly false claims from well known and established companies?This is a hypothetical that we tend to rule out as we walk down the aisle of a heath food store or wander about in the vitamin section of a large retailer.
Unfortunately, as one case so clearly demonstrates, nutritional claims from food and drink companies may not always be legitimate.
In a recent example that puts our trust in such things to a test, high school students Anna Devathasan and Jenny Suo, age 17, did an experiment three years ago with their favorite soft drink, Ribena, and found that although Ribena's claim to fame was having 'four times the vitamin C of oranges', there was no measurable amount of vitamin C to be found.
Ribena is the fourth biggest drinks brand in the UK and is sold in over 20 countries.
A product of global pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline, Ribena was created in the 1930's.
The makers claim on their website that in the 1940's the product was 'rationed during WW2 as a vitamin C supplement for children because the supply of oranges to Britain dried up'.
In 2001, Ribena and Ribena Toothkind launched an ad campaign with the phrase, 'Rich in Vitamin C, Rich in Memories', and went live on both TV and in Press communications.
In 2004, Devathasan and Suo executed their school experiment and contacted GlaxoSmithKline, as well as the Commerce Commission, to report their findings.
Although they received no response from the British-based pharmaceuticals and healthcare company, prosecutors brought charges against GlaxoSmithKline this month in an Auckland court.
Headquartered in the UK and with operations based in the US, GlaxoSmithKline is one of the industry leaders, with an estimated seven percent of the world's pharmaceutical market.
They market products such as the smoking replacement Nicorette, Aquafresh toothpaste, paracetamol-based pain reliever Panadol, and state on their website that Ribena is a 'nutritional healthcare drink'.
The company has admitted that they misled consumers about the content of vitamin c, a popular antioxidant substance, in Ribena.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has requested that GSK change their package labeling to remove all references to vitamin C and to inform customers, via notices in retail outlets, of their misleading information.
SHARE
RELATED POSTS on "Health & Medical"
Facts and Benefits of the Full Liquid Diet
Facts and Benefits of the Full Liquid Diet
Undeniable Sexual Benefits Of Maca
Undeniable Sexual Benefits Of Maca
Six Foods You Should Eat to Achieve Weight Loss
Six Foods You Should Eat to Achieve Weight Loss
Healthy Lunch
Healthy Lunch
Resveratrol and Acai Berry
Resveratrol and Acai Berry
How to Evaluate Vitamins and Supplements
How to Evaluate Vitamins and Supplements
Road Food - It Doesn't Have to Be Unhealthy
Road Food - It Doesn't Have to Be Unhealthy
Learn About Healthy Foods To Lower Cholesterol - Make Them A Part Of Your Diet Today!
Learn About Healthy Foods To Lower Cholesterol - Make Them A Part Of Your Diet Today!
ACAI - The Superfood
ACAI - The Superfood
What Do You Need in Your Protein Shake?
What Do You Need in Your Protein Shake?
White Foods Can Play an Important Part in Your Efforts to Lose Weight and Get Rid of Belly Fat
White Foods Can Play an Important Part in Your Efforts to Lose Weight and Get Rid of Belly Fat
What Does Diet Mean?
What Does Diet Mean?
Seven Beneficial Nutrients for the Baby
Seven Beneficial Nutrients for the Baby
Full Information Of Carbohydrates and the Glycemic
Full Information Of Carbohydrates and the Glycemic
Vitamin C - Antioxidant For Good Health and Anti Aging
Vitamin C - Antioxidant For Good Health and Anti Aging
Hidden Traps in Foods - Why Do I Still Put on Weight?
Hidden Traps in Foods - Why Do I Still Put on Weight?
Wellness From the Inside Out
Wellness From the Inside Out
Is Fat A Necessary Part Of My Diet? Part 1
Is Fat A Necessary Part Of My Diet? Part 1
Which Fish Is Healthy to Eat?
Which Fish Is Healthy to Eat?
Hair Vitamins - Liquid Vitamins - Mens Vitamins 903
Hair Vitamins - Liquid Vitamins - Mens Vitamins 903

Leave Your Reply

*