Reply to SillyFroggy Parents, Food and Criminal Labelling

[Speakeazi]

Food labelling can be so misleading. At a first viewing this looks like a good product to eat, it even states Eat Well on the label.

But the ingredients tell a very different story as the label on the back shows.

The Greek Yoghurt probably is 0% Fat. And possibly the sugar content is in the Granola and the Passionfruit compote.

In fact the sugar content is over 20g

The fat 6.6 Saturated 2g and protein is 12g.

But if my children were younger and needed to lose weight , I would buy this product. Even as an adult I’d buy this for a treat without realising what’s in it. I see Eat Well & 0% Fat.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Speakeazi

Very good point.

It is so confusing. Sugar is added to make low fat food palatable.

When my children were younger I was horrified by the sugar content of many of the baby foods sold. Sadly I don't think it has changed much over the last 20 years.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I think M&S are being sneaky with their marketing here - I would expect to find plain Greek yogurt to have no fat content - that's the appeal of it, they're making a play on the yogurt having 0% fat but keeping quiet about the sugar content of the rest of the product. They're not making a false claim just being economical with what the full content of the product is, people will just see the 0% fat

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Good points on sugar content.

And the fat content of just granola is usually around 20% so I agree, the wording is pretty sneaky.

I’ll read more carefully, in future.

[Janma123]

Sugar is surely enemy no1. Sugar turns to fat if not used as energy and is stored for later.

We need some fats in our diet to remain well!

[Inamoment]

Is the sugar in the fruit?

[Speakeazi in reply to Inamoment]

Most likely in the granola and the fruit purée.

[Prada47]

Please photograph the back of the label in fairness to M & S

My Heart Nurse told me leave anything with 3 Reds on the shelf except as maybe a once a week treat, and treat 2 Reds with respect !!! We are all different, and want something different to eat for different reasons. As long as it's on the LABEL it's up to you to decide.IMHO

[Sunnie2day in reply to Prada47]

You have a good point - it would be helpful if Speakeazi snapped the back label and posted it. Thing is, though, most people (especially tired, busy, and 'just in there to grab a few things' people) don't usually look past the 'front page' - all they're going to see is the green calorie box and thereby assume the pot is filled with safe yummy goodness.

But you also have a very good point about the colour coding - the 'front page' colour box is green but rolling over to find the rest of the information probably shows red boxes galore.

I'm not keen on the colour coding - I got used to the tonnes of information on US food labels and miss all that simple table listing since retiring home to the UK.

Sure, it's red/green/yellow - but why is it red/green/yellow? That information isn't always there and it's not always easy to find in the first place.

The colour coding feels like dumbing-down to me. I'd rather have the plain facts simply printed on the back or side of the label - and if I can't find that simple information I've walked away from dozens of food products rather than take the chance something is hidden.

[Lezzers in reply to Sunnie2day]

I'm totally in agreement with you, I don't like the traffic light system but I've been reading the contents for many years so I'm quite used to it now. Like you, if I'm not sure I'll walk away. A number of people I work with eat a breakfast bar when they get to work as their breakfast, when I say that's not a healthy option they just laugh at me & refuse to believe me😂. I work in an office & food days are a thing they have at least once a week (though it's well known I won't participate) this week it was sandwich spread, white bread & butter amongst other things!

[Speakeazi in reply to Sunnie2day]

I’ve posted the other side of the label. Next time I’ll post two consecutive pictures as I seem to be able only to post one photo at a time!

[Speakeazi in reply to Prada47]

Yup. The post only will allow one photo. I’ll reply to you now. Although it comes up under a new heading.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Speakeazi]

I'm awed when anyone manages to post one photo. I'm not a technophobe by any means but some things are frustrating and one of those things for me is getting a photo or video link in anywhere across cyberspace!

Thank-you for the second post and I'll go hunt that new post down now.

[Lezzers in reply to Sunnie2day]

I can't attach anything either, though I can now post links....sometimes!

☺

[Speakeazi in reply to Lezzers]

I find I can attach a photo but only in a new post.

[Maisiemay13]

I do not buy 0% fat or sugar as to many sugars or additives in to compensate

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Today is the "use by date"! Is it Eat or Chuck?

I was nearly fooled by a "healthy" protein bar. On closet examination sugars were as much as protein and total carbs another 50% higher. Total fats about 60% of protein with over half being saturated. Total con!

[Speakeazi in reply to MichaelJH]

Honestly a chocolate bar is much more fun than a health bar. !!

[Sunnie2day in reply to Speakeazi]

I seem to recall reading some of those so-called health bars are so loaded with not-so-healthy ingredients that eating a nut and caramel chocolate bar (not saying the brand, snicker-snicker ) is actually healthier. (Which works really well for me if it doesn't blow my daily sodium allowance! Chocolate, yummmmmmm)

[Lezzers in reply to Sunnie2day]

😂

[Lezzers in reply to MichaelJH]

Stay away from the health bars....very unhealthy!! I keep telling people that the only reason they give you energy is because they're packed full of sugar, I then get told but their low calorie!!