Truth in Advertising: The Case of Sara Lee’s Soft & Smooth Whole Grain White Bread
Labels for Sara Lee’s “Soft & Smooth Made With Whole Grain White Bread” will have to be changed to make it clear that the product is only 30 percent whole grain not as part of an agreement the company has reached with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
The consumer advocacy group had threatened in December 2007 to sue Sara Lee because the company’s claims of “whole grain goodness” on Soft & Smooth have been misleading.
The bread is really made mainly from refined white flour, not whole grains.
Other Misleading Product Statements
The Center for Science in the Public Interest also points out that plenty of food companies try to give consumers the impression that their white-flour-based products are “made with whole grain” even if there is only a small amount. Kraft uses phrases like “good source of whole grain” or “excellent source of whole grain” on labels even if the product is mostly refined white flour.
CSPI litigation director Steve Gardner points out that
Companies that use the phrase ‘whole grain’ absolutely have the legal responsibility under state consumer protection laws to disclose exactly how much whole grain is there.
Yet another case of Caveat emptor or Let the Buyer Beware.
Source: Center for Science in the Public Interest. July 21, 2008. Sara Lee to Make Clear its “Made with Whole Grain White Bread” is 30 Percent Whole Grain. Press Release.
Add comment July 21st, 2008
