What ‘Natural’ Means in Food Manufacturing
When ‘all natural’ appears on a food label, most consumers assume that the product contains no artificial ingredients. But, you may be surprised at how loosely the word ‘natural’ is used by food manufacturers. Because there is high demand for healthier foods, the word is used as a marketing tool. But savvy shoppers shouldn’t be fooled by this misleading practice.
Food Label Language
The term "natural" does not have an official legal definition. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says a natural food is “A product containing no artificial ingredients or added color and only minimally processed.” Foods may be labeled as ‘natural’ when they have ingredients that have been modified in the lab. To get a bigger picture of what natural means in food manufacturing, let’s explore some ingredients regularly added to food and expose just how ‘natural’ they are.
Modified Vegetable Starches
While straight from the farm to the store is my idea of natural, but the term is being bent by manufacturers of baked goods. Traditionally, the industry has used chemicals to prevent mold growth, strengthen and condition the dough and enhance flavor. Now those additives have been replaced with processed starches derived from wheat, corn, tapioca, sweet potatoes, and other roots and grains. For example, Ulrick & Short, a manufacturer of “additive free ingredients” boasts on their website, “We offer a comprehensive range of clean label, functional native starches, fat -replacers, functional flours, bakery glazes, phosphate replacers and proteins from a range of crops and cereals.” While they are healthier than the chemicals they replace, these highly processed ingredients are far from their natural state. But on the ingredient list, they bear the names of the original grains or roots.
Powdered Vegetable Fats
Ingredient manufacturers are producing ‘fat powders’ from sunflower and grape seed oil. Powdered fats are used in creams, soups and sauces to reduce the amount of saturated and trans fats and to avoid the ‘hydrogenated fat’ designation. An article about the launch of three new vegetable fat ingredients reveals that these powders are yet another processed form of Mother Nature’s creation. The leading manufacturer of powdered fat, Cognis, gives them names like Cegepal TG 186, Cegepal O3C and Lamequick SUN 40, but on the food label, they may be called ‘vegetable fat’.
The Bottom Line
The ingredients in some natural foods are still processed in the lab and, although they may be healthier, they are not as natural as you may think. The only way to have an all natural meal is to cook with ingredients that you have grown, raised, or purchased directly from the farm. But, because that’s nearly impossible for the vast majority of people, it pays to carefully read ingredient list and then to question what you read.
Your thoughts…
Have you encountered less-than-natural ‘natural’ products?
Comments
My thoughts... What is the point? By the way Sunflower seeds are good for you and so are their fats. Either way... You want natural? Grow it in your back yard... Good job stating the obvious.
Thank you for the article. I will never look at "natural" in the same way. Even if I look at labels, the products used are hidden by manufacturers who want to increase their bottom line.
Thank you for this article. People need to know this. Some of these laboratory enhanced ingredients may potentially end up being the next terrible thing down the road. I still don't see how the FDA (in all its wisdom, HA!) could allow mislabeling such as this.
Original Post by: rab71My thoughts... What is the point? By the way Sunflower seeds are good for you and so are their fats. Either way... You want natural? Grow it in your back yard... Good job stating the obvious.
I agree!
I once planted 15 seeds and in a few months, 7 sunflowers with hundreds of sun flower seeds ready to be picked!
I got a little excited and accidently picked them a little too early and it was tough trying to figure out how to protect them from murderous rabbits but it was all worth it!
I gotta figure out a new strategy though...who knew squirrels liked sun flower seedlings too...
"Nature" vs "natural" Nature uses color for many things, bright flowers and sweet aromas for attracting pollinators. It also uses color as a warning. The other day as I wandered around the snack isles I noted that a number of the more popular snacks are 'day-glow' orange. The exact same color as a number of very poisonous mushrooms I've seen many times while hiking. Interesting.
The first hint I look for that a food product is probably a bit over processed? If it's wrapped in plastic or comes in a box, I look at the color. Have you noticed they even dye apples and oranges now? Sigh.
Unfortunately, we can't all grown our own food and slaughter our own meat. 99% of us have to rely on the foods that are available to us in the local markets. It's better to be aware of how are food is manufactured, prepared and marketed so we can make the best possible choices. These points are good to know when walking through the food aisles.
Kelpoke:
I remember an article a number of years ago(wished I still had it) of a company that sells these thin , slippery round plates that slip(they have a notch and hole in the center) around the stalk of any tall plant or tree. The squirrel would try to climb up the stalk but keep slipping when it tries to get around the plate to climb higher thus letting them slip and fall. The squirrel would keep coming back and trying and trying until they give up and go elsewhere. Just a thought. (btw there was no harm to the squirrel).
The thing about the 'all natural' label is that GMOs are still allowed in, and it is so contrary! Yes, this term has definitely been twisted. Of COURSE GMOs are not natural. What has been done is that these guys have made up a whole new definition for 'natural'. When I think of 'natural', I think 'of nature' or 'found in nature'. Shame we couldn't just use those definitions. When I see a product on the shelf labeled 'all natural', I don't even bother to check it out (unless it's meat, in which case, it's all I can afford).
Okay, rant over. =P
Original Post by: samhainazOops that was meant for annschmech not kelpoke. Sorry.
:D I have lots of sunflowers but most of the squirrels and rabbit are kept at bay. I have a resident hawks and a number of fox in the area. I have also found if I plant my garden near the bird feeders the birds eat the seed from the feeds and then dessert is any unfortunate bugs on my greens or tomatoes. The bears do create a bit of a problem with the bird feeders though. There's a small grey warbler in this area that is a bug eating machine. Love that bird, a plus is they have one heck of a set of pipes for such a small grey bird. Last but not least, bats generally take care of the mosquitoes.
I call this whole garden thing my 'accidental ecosystem'.... rural living at it's finest.
Healthy foods are offered in your local markets, but it is up to all of us to make those healthy choices. Food manufacturers won't change their ways as long as the products continue to sell.
I have come to realize that the USDA is not necessarily the friend of it's boss (we tax payers). There is no reason they need to be loose with terms, yet they permit it. I would never choose to eat a GMO over a natural fruit/veg, yet they don't require labeling as such. They could easily require that all GMO foods be labeled as such, sectioned off in stores, etc., but won't. I don't understand the science behind it, but I've heard they even produce GMO salmon. Scary. And, they are not required to label it as such.
And, take care that should you decide to grow your own garden, that your seeds are not from GMO stock, as they often times are!
"Natural" is just another marketing term. It means nothing. "Organic" is the same. I even saw some "Organic" seeds for my garden a few days ago. COME ON!! Double the price, and if they were soaked in arsenic the plants that grow from them would be the same! More marketing. My favorite term is "Real"...as in "Made with REAL cheese". Well, RATZ....I was hoping for the plastic stuff! Do this folks. When you get to the grocery store, find the produce department. When your cart gets full....go home. If it comes in a box, a can, a jar, or a bag, don't eat it! Watch the carts in the grocery store and the people pushing them. It's entertaining. Overweight person...and in the cart...doughnuts, candy, chips, soda pop, cans of food, TV dinners, and "instant" everything. Fine a lean, trim, physically fit person..and in the cart...celery, lettuce, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and truly "natural" things. DUH!! Wonder how that happens? This whole diet and exercise thing...it ain't brain surgery, Y'all.
Original Post by: jdanddad"Natural" is just another marketing term. It means nothing. "Organic" is the same. I even saw some "Organic" seeds for my garden a few days ago. COME ON!! Double the price, and if they were soaked in arsenic the plants that grow from them would be the same! More marketing. My favorite term is "Real"...as in "Made with REAL cheese". Well, RATZ....I was hoping for the plastic stuff! Do this folks. When you get to the grocery store, find the produce department. When your cart gets full....go home. If it comes in a box, a can, a jar, or a bag, don't eat it! Watch the carts in the grocery store and the people pushing them. It's entertaining. Overweight person...and in the cart...doughnuts, candy, chips, soda pop, cans of food, TV dinners, and "instant" everything. Fine a lean, trim, physically fit person..and in the cart...celery, lettuce, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and truly "natural" things. DUH!! Wonder how that happens? This whole diet and exercise thing...it ain't brain surgery, Y'all.
Organic, and soaked in arsenic? How did you find that out? Was it on the label? What would be the benefit of that? hmmmmmm.... I've always had an assurance about buying items labeled organic.
Agreed on the shopping! We need to, for the most part, stay away from the inner aisles of the store. But, that is where you'll get your olive oil and whole grain flour. Produce & seafood is where we need to find the bulk of our foods.
These products may poke at the boundaries of 'natural' but they sound rather healthy to me. If I want to raise a ruckus, I can claim that extra virgin olive oil is not 'natural' because it doesn't come with the rest of the olive.
I agree with eating as 'clean' and natural as possible, but not to the extent of hysteria. If this point of view were to get popular, we would be left with all the current eating disorders (hyperphagia, anorexia) and now orthorexia. A healthy attitude toward food is VERY difficult to come by, so my view is that we need LESS neuroticism and concern with minutiae.
Large industries can't change instantly, and the food industry is among the largest. The article states "...they are healthier than the chemicals they replace..." which sounds like a good direction to go to me. The Japanese have beaten us industrially since 1980 because starting in the 1950s they adopted a continuous improvement philosophy. On top of that, everyone serious about weight change etc. suggests it is best to make it a lifestyle change, and to make healthy changes gradually. It's the same in industry or anywhere else... you continuously make changes toward where you want to go, and eventually you get the big prize.
Original Post by: reneemichellesteinOriginal Post by: jdanddad"Natural" is just another marketing term. It means nothing. "Organic" is the same. I even saw some "Organic" seeds for my garden a few days ago. COME ON!! Double the price, and if they were soaked in arsenic the plants that grow from them would be the same! More marketing. My favorite term is "Real"...as in "Made with REAL cheese". Well, RATZ....I was hoping for the plastic stuff! Do this folks. When you get to the grocery store, find the produce department. When your cart gets full....go home. If it comes in a box, a can, a jar, or a bag, don't eat it! Watch the carts in the grocery store and the people pushing them. It's entertaining. Overweight person...and in the cart...doughnuts, candy, chips, soda pop, cans of food, TV dinners, and "instant" everything. Fine a lean, trim, physically fit person..and in the cart...celery, lettuce, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and truly "natural" things. DUH!! Wonder how that happens? This whole diet and exercise thing...it ain't brain surgery, Y'all.
Organic, and soaked in arsenic? How did you find that out? Was it on the label? What would be the benefit of that? hmmmmmm.... I've always had an assurance about buying items labeled organic.
Agreed on the shopping! We need to, for the most part, stay away from the inner aisles of the store. But, that is where you'll get your olive oil and whole grain flour. Produce & seafood is where we need to find the bulk of our foods.
I so agree with you and it makes soooo much sense and is very logical!!!!!! I too look at overweight people with a sadness and just want to grab them and educate them on eating healthy and exercising. That its very necessary to weigh what you were created to weigh. To teach them about calorie intake and outgoing and speeding up their metabolism.
Yes Yes YES! Talk about it jdanddad. Chances are, if your food is purchased somewhere in the middle aisles of the grocery store, it's probably pre-processed packaged JUNK that isn't worth the $$$ you're paying for the convenience compared to the toll it's taking on your HEALTH! Perimeter shopping rocks & takes WAY less time...
Original Post by: reneemichellesteinOriginal Post by: jdanddad"Natural" is just another marketing term. It means nothing. "Organic" is the same. I even saw some "Organic" seeds for my garden a few days ago. COME ON!! Double the price, and if they were soaked in arsenic the plants that grow from them would be the same! More marketing. My favorite term is "Real"...as in "Made with REAL cheese". Well, RATZ....I was hoping for the plastic stuff! Do this folks. When you get to the grocery store, find the produce department. When your cart gets full....go home. If it comes in a box, a can, a jar, or a bag, don't eat it! Watch the carts in the grocery store and the people pushing them. It's entertaining. Overweight person...and in the cart...doughnuts, candy, chips, soda pop, cans of food, TV dinners, and "instant" everything. Fine a lean, trim, physically fit person..and in the cart...celery, lettuce, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and truly "natural" things. DUH!! Wonder how that happens? This whole diet and exercise thing...it ain't brain surgery, Y'all.
Organic, and soaked in arsenic? How did you find that out? Was it on the label? What would be the benefit of that? hmmmmmm.... I've always had an assurance about buying items labeled organic.
Agreed on the shopping! We need to, for the most part, stay away from the inner aisles of the store. But, that is where you'll get your olive oil and whole grain flour. Produce & seafood is where we need to find the bulk of our foods.
It's worth the cost to by Heirloom, organic seed and then save seed from your produce for the next year's plantings. I work with a Children's Garden wherein we teach the youngsters about sustainable gardening.
Original Post by: reneemichellesteinOriginal Post by: jdanddad"Natural" is just another marketing term. It means nothing. "Organic" is the same. I even saw some "Organic" seeds for my garden a few days ago. COME ON!! Double the price, and if they were soaked in arsenic the plants that grow from them would be the same! More marketing. My favorite term is "Real"...as in "Made with REAL cheese". Well, RATZ....I was hoping for the plastic stuff! Do this folks. When you get to the grocery store, find the produce department. When your cart gets full....go home. If it comes in a box, a can, a jar, or a bag, don't eat it! Watch the carts in the grocery store and the people pushing them. It's entertaining. Overweight person...and in the cart...doughnuts, candy, chips, soda pop, cans of food, TV dinners, and "instant" everything. Fine a lean, trim, physically fit person..and in the cart...celery, lettuce, fruits, lean meats, whole grains, and truly "natural" things. DUH!! Wonder how that happens? This whole diet and exercise thing...it ain't brain surgery, Y'all.
Organic, and soaked in arsenic? How did you find that out? Was it on the label? What would be the benefit of that? hmmmmmm.... I've always had an assurance about buying items labeled organic.
Agreed on the shopping! We need to, for the most part, stay away from the inner aisles of the store. But, that is where you'll get your olive oil and whole grain flour. Produce & seafood is where we need to find the bulk of our foods.
My thoughts exactly! The only way to eat as natural as possible without growing your own food is to stick to the foods that are unprocessed; fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, and lean fresh meats and fish.
Original Post by: reneemichellesteinI have come to realize that the USDA is not necessarily the friend of it's boss (we tax payers). There is no reason they need to be loose with terms, yet they permit it. I would never choose to eat a GMO over a natural fruit/veg, yet they don't require labeling as such. They could easily require that all GMO foods be labeled as such, sectioned off in stores, etc., but won't. I don't understand the science behind it, but I've heard they even produce GMO salmon. Scary. And, they are not required to label it as such.
And, take care that should you decide to grow your own garden, that your seeds are not from GMO stock, as they often times are!
Funny, I don't recall when Monsanto stopped patenting his GMO seeds. So you don't need to buy them directly from him any more? Do they stop self-terminating, too? That'll be the day... Monsanto, doing something that actually makes sense!
Now, if it was a mistake, I can see that happening. And then you'd better make DAMN sure they're not GMO, because you'll have a lawsuit on your hands. These guys profit on it.
Im not knocking anyone here nor the article. But can someone kindly explain to me what "organic" salt is?
And is sea salt really good for you? I heard all those ingredients on the package means its made in a lab not from nature.
thanks
I keep trying to eat mainly fresh foods, however, it is so expensive to get "organic" things and who really knows what that really means. The guidelines to call something organic or natural are so loose.
Original Post by: cvveraThank you for the article. I will never look at "natural" in the same way. Even if I look at labels, the products used are hidden by manufacturers who want to increase their bottom line.
Not all of us have the time, resources or even space to do that! I think the food industry is RESPONSIBLE to tell consumers the truth, good or bad.
Original Post by: minariOriginal Post by: cvveraThank you for the article. I will never look at "natural" in the same way. Even if I look at labels, the products used are hidden by manufacturers who want to increase their bottom line.
Not all of us have the time, resources or even space to do that! I think the food industry is RESPONSIBLE to tell consumers the truth, good or bad.
Oops quoted the wrong person, meant to quote rab71.
The side effects of allergy medications keep some people from using them. Natural remedies can be a great alternative, but some are more effective than others.
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LOVE this article!! Education is key in everthing we put into our mouths!