Product Line - Label Alert

   I wish this post were an update on national menu labeling or standardized front of pack product labeling, but it is not.  I am still unaware of an expected date for action on either of these.  
   What I want to draw your attention to today is a potential "trick" label.  I have noted for your education that the words "all natural" or "natural" on a food label do not guarantee anything more than this: "minimally processed."  If you have a definition for minimally processed, its as good as any because the entire issue is cloaked in vagueness.  If you really want something that has limited processing (and you probably should) then buy fresh fruits and vegetables.  Hopefully, your chicken, fish and meat would not be processed, but don't take that for granted.  Read the label (e.g. chicken is often 'plumped' with salt).
   But those are not the tricks of which I speak today.  I refer to a product line.  Just because a group of products is named Wholesome Goodness does not mean that any of the items are good for you or healthy.  There are several criteria by which to measure, but you might consider the amounts of added sugar, sodium, Trans fats and saturated fat, as well as calories per gram (or serving size).    
   If you are buying tomato sauce for example, you may have Del Monte, Hunts, a value brand and Wholesome Goodness.  The trick is that consumers see Goodness and think it is the healthiest one.  That may or may not be true.  Don't be sold by names or label disclosures, read the ingredients and nutrition facts panel to make a better decision. 
   This is all we can do unless or until the FDA/USDA come up with a standardized symbol and criteria. I would not trust individual food manufacturers as their goal is to sell a product not to improve the quality of your diet.

This is just a product line, not an accredited line of healthy or low calorie products.