Connecticut AG to Scrutinize “Smart Choices” Program
Remember this? Looks like the so-called “Smart Choices” labelling system is drawing critics with teeth.
Raising the stakes in the battle over nutritional claims for packaged foods, the Connecticut attorney general said on Wednesday that he was investigating a national labeling campaign that promotes products like Froot Loops and mayonnaise as nutritionally smart choices.
In letters to Kellogg’s, General Mills and PepsiCo, the attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, said he was concerned that the program, called Smart Choices, was “overly simplistic, inaccurate and ultimately misleading.” The three companies are among several food giants that participate in the program.
In an interview Wednesday, Mr. Blumenthal said he had discussed his investigation with attorneys general from other states and several had expressed interest in joining his effort. In other prominent consumer protection cases, states have worked together to pursue companies or industries, including cigarette makers and subprime lenders, over charges of deceptive marketing.
“As a matter of common sense, these sugar-laden or fat-saturated products seem very questionable as so-called ‘Smart Choices’ nutritionally,” Mr. Blumenthal said. “We’re ratcheting up pressure for truthful answers to these issues.”
The Connecticut investigation will seek to determine if the labeling campaign violates the state’s consumer protection law, which bars misleading or false product claims, he added.
Personally, I’d be delighted to see Mr. Blumenthal roast the industry over a sloooow fire for this one. Stay tuned… 😀
October 19, 2009
I’m glad someone is keeping an eye on this. More power to him. Sloooow roasting is good.
October 19, 2009
It isn’t often we witness such displays of common sense. Good on Mr. Blumenthal!