“You are what you eat”

Mar 16

posted by Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter in Marketing Communications | 45 Comments

Suppose a consumer who is allergic to dairy products is shopping for a non-dairy yogurt.  After browsing through a variety of brands, she sees the product “O’Soy," with a product label claim identifying the product as “organic soy yogurt.” Is it safe for the food allergic consumer to rely on this information, purchase and then consume this product?

            This is a serious question faced by many food allergic consumers today and the answer is not as simple as one would presume.  The “O’Soy” brand name appears to indicate this is a soy based yogurt.  In addition to the brand name itself, a prominent product label claim in large bold font on the front label, identifies the product as "Organic Soy Yogurt." A recent research study has suggested that food consumers are influenced by and base their purchase decisions  on the name of the food product (Irmak, Vallen, & Rosen Robinson, 2011).  Additionally, prior research has substantiated the notion that food allergic consumers utilize package information and product claims to evaluate if a product contains an allergenic substance (Voordouw et al., 2012). 

            If the above food allergic consumer assesses allergen risk in a similar fashion, this is but one example of how a food allergic consumer may unknowingly consume an allergenic substance, since an inspection of the back label of the “O’Soy” yogurt states that the product does in fact "contains milk."  This potential mistake, relying on the package information found on the front of the yogurt container's label, could be life threatening to a food allergic consumer allergic to dairy products.   Further investigation revealed an online disclosure, found on the "O'Soy" website that states  "O’Soy is lactose free and that those who are only lactose intolerant, and not allergic to milk, can safely enjoy O’Soy" (Stony Field Farm, 2011).   In 2014, Stonyfield Farms modified the ingredients and cultures used in O'Soy yogurt in order to eliminate dairy in the yogurt.

            As the previous example illustrates, more understanding and research is needed on this issue, since confusing and often conflicting product ingredient information appears on food product labeling. Domestically and internationally, food allergies have become exceedingly prevalent in children, adolescents and adults (American Academy of Allergy, 2011). Both the United States and various European governments recognize the importance of clear and complete ingredient communications of known allergens to allergic consumers and have instituted various labeling and allergen disclosure laws such as the United States’ Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) and legislation improvements like those found in the EU's Food Information for Consumers Regulation (Agency, 2014; Services, 2006). 

            Regardless of legislative mandates, manufacturers should institute clear labeling if the product(s) place consumers at risk for harm. Yet, despite the ethical benefits and legislative mandates designed to assist the food allergic consumer, food allergy labeling still remains unclear and there is no clear consensus on the best manner to convey allergen information to the food allergic stakeholder, and as noted in the prior example, there have been examples of conflicting (incongruent) allergen information communicated to the allergic consumer via the product information and packaging material. 

            This domain of food allergic consumers, current labeling issues and their decision making processes is an under-researched and newly emerging issue that needs to be addressed so as to provide a safer and more consumer friendly food shopping experience for allergic consumers and stakeholders of food allergic individuals.
Do you agree?  Have you had any experiences similar to the example shared above?  What are your thoughts to improve the labeling on food?

*This blog is based on a doctoral dissertation by Roger Wortman entitled ‘Impact of Product Label Claims.' His committee consists of Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter (chair), Dr. John Stanton (reader), Dr. Cindy Ruppel (methodologist) and Dr. Herb Brotspies (4th member).

Image Source: Speech Buddies, Inc., 2017

Sara Weisfeld-Spolter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Weisfeld-Spolter can be reached at sw887@nova.edu

This entry was posted on March 16, 2017 at 10:20 AM and has received 6983 views. There are currently 45 comments. Print this entry. Download attachment.

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• #1 by Amanda Williams on 4/3/17 - 11:20 AM

  

  I agree with the author that companies should have clear labeling on their products, regardless of legislative mandates. I find misleading labeling to be one of the most underhanded marketing ploys a company can use. Obviously, allergen related labeling is of the utmost importance for consumer safety but other misleading labels are poor business as well.
  As a consumer of natural and organic products there are so many labels and product names that exist solely to make customers think that the product is safe and uses quality ingredients. I have found that this is quite frequently not the case and companies are using questionable ingredients and making it appear “natural” or “organic”. While labels and packaging should be regulated by third parties the companies that produce the products should also have the slightest bit of integrity and stop purposely misleading consumers.
  When I find a company that uses these strategies I try not to buy their products again. This can prove to be an issue because large companies like Procter & Gamble have many different product lines that you may not associate with the main manufacturer. Consumers do need to be informed about the products they purchase and use but it feels like companies are always trying to pull a fast one or trick customers to make a profit.

• #2 by Reachel McWhorter on 4/3/17 - 6:53 PM

  

  Hi all,
  
  I agree that manufacturers need to provide clearer labels on their products. As stated, often times we buy products based on the name without thoroughly examining the labels unless we are on a diet or have a food allergy. A person with a food allergy tends to be more aware of the products they consume, but the problem is some labels are not always clear. I, myself, have a slight allergy to pineapples so I have to be careful of how much I consume. I am able to eat maybe one or two pieces of pineapples without getting irritated, so sometimes I enjoy a pineapple or two. However, a person with a more severe allergy relies on the information provided on the labels before they consume a product. My nephew is allergic to peanuts, so when I am giving my nieces and nephews snacks I have to be very mindful of what products contain any trace of peanuts. I strongly believe that there should be stricter laws in place to force manufacturers to improve their product labels because it can cost someone their life. I do not think companies are trying to harm consumers with their labeling strategies, instead I think they are simply trying to mislead consumers to sell a product. For example, companies may label products as organic or natural or sugar free when the product may not be 100% natural. In closing, I think clear labels need to become the norm to ensure the health and well-being of those with food allergies.
  
  Kindly,
  
  Reachel

• #3 by Juan Mosquera on 4/3/17 - 9:13 PM

  

  I do agree that manufacturers should protect their customers by providing a clear and truthful label so they inform their own customers of all ingredients on their products. This will require for the FDA to continue enforcing their current regulations and for customers to stay away from products that they should not consume.
  
  A company can gain customers trust when they prioritize customers health over financial goals. I do also believe that customers will need to make better decisions about the product they consume. It is the customer's responsibility and not the manufacturer to determine what is the best food choice for the consumer to purchase.
  
  The best way to describe our current struggles is summarize by Anatole France
  "If fifty million people say something foolish it is still foolish"
  I don’t understand why somebody who is allergic to dairy products will try to drink yogurt or alternative choices that will be similar to the product they should not consume. Manufacturers will find a way to advertise their product without providing all the details and other consumers will recommend the same product to others.
  The best solution for this problem is to stay away from the products that you know will make the consumer sick and not to expect the manufacturers to protect you from their own unhealthy products.

• #4 by Jenna Guzman on 4/4/17 - 10:13 AM

  

  I completely agree with Dr. Weisfeld-Spolter’s assessment of product labeling, especially food product labeling. Misleading labeling for the sake of sales and profits is unethical and should be better regulated. Food allergies can be mild for some and life threatening for others. Companies should understand this risk and take responsibility for misleading product labeling. The example provided by in the blog post of O’Soy yogurt is a perfect example. Something with the term “soy” in the name logically suggests that the product is made from soy instead of dairy. Even though the back label indicates that the product contains milk, consumers should not have to try to read every single word on a product label to determine if the product is safe. Imagine how long it would take you to shop!
  
  Although I don’t have any food allergies, I stopped drinking Naked Juice after the controversy with the label claiming to be all natural, while the company was adding synthetic ingredients. Methods of marketing and labeling products as natural are very deceptive and currently not regulated as they should be. I believe that stricter regulation needs to be implemented, especially when it comes to products that contain one of the eight foods or food groups that contribute to the majority of food allergies. Additionally, there should be regulation on where notification of these allergens is located on the label itself.

• #5 by Hele Barnes on 4/4/17 - 1:30 PM

  

  I agree with the author that clear labelling from companies is very important and is helpful in preventing possible allergic reactions. However, we should note that just because a product is made from soy does not mean that it is absent of dairy. Companies use these tactics to ensure that their products have similar qualities to the non-organic versions. This is misleading because consumers assume that the product is organic and dairy-free. It is also unfair for consumers because they still have to pay more for these organic products despite the use of an allergenic substance.
  One reason why these companies are able to do this is because of loopholes in the labeling and allergen laws. Personally, when I shop, I do not always read the back of the label. I assume the same goes for other consumers. We mostly pay attention to the big words on the front of the label. Whereas, these companies put disclaimers in tiny print on the back. Law need to be revamped so that allergenic information can be in an “eye-catching” position so that consumers are well aware.

• #6 by Ana Roque on 4/4/17 - 3:59 PM

  

  I agree with the author's assessment that the labels must be clear and inform the true benefits that the product provides. The misleading labels can hurt consumers. The manufacturers create a sense of healthy awareness and rely that the product brand is enough to convince the consumers that they are informing true facts.
  
  I personally am lactose intolerant and cannot eat or drink anything that includes whole milk. I am concerned because I do rely on the front labels and I have gotten sick. After reading this article I will be more careful to read complete label and beware of marketing tactics.
  
  Thanks,
  Ana Roque

• #7 by Sareilys Perdomo on 4/4/17 - 4:56 PM

  

  I completely agree with the phrase “you are what you eat”, specifically when referring to consumer allergens. As Weisfeld-Spolter states, “food consumers are influenced by and base their purchase decisions on the name of the food product” (2017). Having a correct label is imperative in products because consumers buy the product by looking at the label. Personally, I do not have time to go to Publix and read the back of the label where the ingredients are for all the items I need; thus, manufacturers must not false-advertise their products. For example, my co-worker is allergic to peanuts. She bought candy that supposedly did not contain peanuts in the front of the label and it gave her a severe allergic reaction because she did not read the back of the label.
  
  False or deceptive advertising can lead to penalties, lawsuits, and loss of customers. In addition, misleading nutrition facts, such as, saying the food contains fewer calories than it actually does constitutes as a violation as well. Manufacturers must include a clear label on their products in order to not place their consumers at risk. It amazes me how food allergy labeling “remains unclear and there is no clear consensus on the best manner to convey allergen information” (Weisfeld-Spolter, 2017). This is a major issue and it needs to be addressed. In my opinion, manufacturers must clearly label in the front of their products ‘no peanuts’ or ‘no milk added’ in order for consumers to have easy access to the 90% of food allergies out there.

• #8 by Alberto Luaces on 4/4/17 - 6:52 PM

  

  Professor Weisfeld-Spotler,
  
  As someone who suffers from severe food allergies, I whole-heartedly agree that this newly emerging issue needs to be addressed so that it provides a safer and more consumer friendly shopping experience for allergic consumers and stakeholders of food allergic individuals. I am extremely allergic to soy and dairy products and as you may know soy is in almost everything now a days. I believe that it is the manufacturers responsibility and ethical duty to ensure that they clearly label their products as the result of their negligence can sometimes end up fatal. When buying products at the super-market I am forced to carefully read the ingredients on the packaging to ensure that there is no soy or dairy included although sometimes it says “soy-free” for example. In my situation when I have an allergic reaction to soy or dairy I usually just get a rash or a mild cough but the same can’t be said for all allergic consumers. Someone with a severe allergic reaction can die on the spot if the allergic reaction is serious enough and a tragedy like this could be prevented if manufacturers would just label their products appropriately. The drive to try and sell more and make more by using sneaky labeling tactics can end up taking someone’s life and there is absolutely no need for it. Once again I agree whole-heartedly with this article and feel that manufacturers should be mandated to label their products correctly or suffer whatever consequences may occur if their sneaky labeling tactics ends up hurting or killing someone.
  
  -Alberto Luaces

• #9 by Stephen Blumenthal on 4/4/17 - 9:34 PM

  

  Food allergies can be very serious among mislead consumers. I agree without any doubt that there should be an immense more research regarding the labeling and packaging food products. Consumers can be mislead by a label and can be seriously harmed from taking in a product they thought would be harmless to them. I believe it is up to the manufacture to take responsibility of producing accurate labels instead of trying to use this as a strategy to maximize sales. This is an ethical issue that should be understood by companies that produce products that can have allergens harmful to consumers. As someone who has a friend who is allergic to products that have or has been processed by machinery with nuts, I understand the importance of creating accurate and truthful labels. A friend of mine carries an epipen with him in case he accidentally comes into contact with nut products. This should not be an issue, as manufacturers’ should have clear and concise labels that warn consumers. This is a health issue that could easily be avoided and consumers should not have to go through. These are the lives of people and I believe there should be much more regulations by the Food and Drug Administration regarding this manner. There should be revisions of the labels in place now and a memo should be sent out stating a time frame to change these labels that are false or misleading towards the consumers. It isn’t till these manufactures are fined or cracked down on that they will change their habits.
  
  -Stephen Blumenthal

• #10 by Krishawn Wiggins on 4/4/17 - 11:40 PM

  

  In order to keep from misleading customers and to remain an honest company I do agree with the article companies should have clear labeling on products, so there is no misunderstanding. Not only is not labeling products misleading to customers it also for their safety that things are labeled clear with no questions as to what it is. Many times, we as customers never really pay attention to the label unless you are on a diet, have allergies, or only shopping organic. I find it quite unethical and un-business like when a company makes a customer think a product is safe with organic and quality ingredients when it’s really the opposite. As common as it is in today’s business I feel companies would be less inclined to do this, because many customers once the find out will stop buying that product which will result in a loss of revenue for the company. I think a company should have to get the label approved by an outside company and go through a strict process before it is approved to be sold in stores. I don’t think any company is deliberately trying to hurt anyone they are just trying to market their product to maximize sells.

• #11 by Amanda Chavez on 4/5/17 - 12:54 AM

  

  I enjoyed reading the article as I agree that companies should have a clear label on products. By doing this is can eliminate misleading customers and give them the opportunity to see what is in the product with no questions. I can admit that I used to not read the labels until I developed a peanut allergy and wanted to lose some weight. We as customers at times do not take the time to read these labels unless we have an allergy or are on a strict diet. I agree that there should be more research regarding labeling and packaging food products for the safety of people and their health. It is important for manufactures to take responsibility due to the fact that this is an ethical issue that should be understood by companies that produce products that can contain harmful ingredients to consumers. I myself have encountered a few children and adults who have to carry an epipen just in case they get in contact with a certain food that they are allergic to. I believe that these matters should be taken into consideration as it is dealing with people’s lives and encourage the Food and Drug Administration to get involved and help these manufactures change their habits.

• #12 by Brooke McLaughlin on 4/5/17 - 11:15 AM

  

  I completely agree with this post. I do agree that manufacturers need to make a labels accurate so they are not putting any harm towards consumers. However, if a manufacturer is making a label clear and accurate and the consumer does not read the label then it’s consumer to blame. I have read labels before that don’t contain any nuts or dairy in them. But they state on the label that it may contain it because some products are made in the same manufacturing plant as other products.
  I think if a manufacturer is going to promote something at least be honest in what is in the product instead of misleading the consumer by the packaging or the name. I also think more consumers should be aware of what is in products instead of being drawn in by the labels and fancy names of products.
  
  Thanks,
  Brooke McLaughlin

• #13 by Miranda Underwood on 4/5/17 - 2:37 PM

  

  Sara Weisfeld-Spolter, Ph.D,
  
  I definitely agree that current labeling issues regarding allergic consumers and their decision making process should be taken more seriously. Companies need to protect themselves against potential law suits that could arise from allergic consumers misinterpreting their misleading labels. Not only that, just in general they shouldn't want to harm any consumer by misleading them with their product labels. Allergies can affect an allergic person even if the product wasn't intentionally made with the allergen. Companies need to ensure that if they are going to produce a product and market it as dairy free, nut free, etc, it has to 100% stay true to that claim. They should hire whatever company necessary to test their products and the facility they are produced in to ensure their claims.
  
  -Miranda

• #14 by Vashronda Sellers on 4/5/17 - 10:26 PM

  

  I agree with the article, manufacturers should provide information if the product contains a potential allergen. My 9-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter is allergic to nuts and is required to have his Epi-pen with him always. Due to his nut allergy, we are very cautious about the items we purchase. We always look at the label / ingredients to ensure the product is nut-free, especially when trying a new product
  Some manufacturers list their ingredients and allergens, some use language that can be confusing. An example is Publix, their baked goods are labeled with the statement “made in a facility with peanuts and nuts.” At first glance one may consider purchasing this product as it only says made in a facility with peanuts and nuts. As a parent of a child with a nut allergy this statement tells me that there is the potential of cross contamination. Cross contamination can be as deadly as ingesting the actual product for a child/person that is allergic to nuts.
  As a parent of a kids with allergies, I would love to see labels that provide more information that’s clear and concise. Also, manufacturers should consider putting a picture of a nut or other allergens on products that kids enjoy. I love M&Ms packaging, each product is a different color and even my 4-year-old is aware of which M&M product she can have.

• #15 by Alesha Washington on 4/6/17 - 9:19 AM

  

  I without a doubt agree that some companies need to do a better job with labeling their products. We are in a world where brands mean so much to us. We see " diet" brands or "organic" brands and we instantly want to purchase the product. We often fall short of turning the product over and actually analyzing the label. I, myself am a victim of not reading labels and consume a food that has actually given me a horrible allergic reaction. Companies seek profit, that's a fact with a lot of businesses. They have a slight ability to finesse the allergen laws to get profit from their products, disregarding that deceiving labels can cause health problems for certain individuals. I would encourage all consumers who has an allergen issue to thoroughly read product labels saving ourselves from having any health hazards.

• #16 by Loren Looney on 4/6/17 - 10:39 AM

  

  According to Dr. Weisfeld-Spotler, “You are what you eat,” is an extremely important topic in today’s food industry; however, more so for marketers working in this industry. I for one believe that this is a very serious matter and as the author stated this could be dependent on a matter of life or death because of a misinforming food classifications. Marketers originating the labeling of the foods in the grocery stores today have to be very careful of the language, the description and the graphics being used on the food products. For example, processed foods must carry nutritional labeling that clearly states the amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and calories as well as vitamin and mineral content as a percentage of the recommended daily allowance. (Kotler, Keller, pg.146) I would like to stress the words ‘Clearly states,’ because that’s just the issue. Most of the labels are ambiguous and can catch your attention in different ways. You can miss the fine print if you may be focusing on the unique layout of the product or simply rushing because you have young children, etc. I think that the food industry can do a much better job in restoring labels by making them decipherable and easier to read. In doing so, the consumers and consumers with allergens to some degree will feel much more satisfied as they will feel safer shopping for a particular brand.
  
  Additionally, there are many legalities that come in to play when issuing food labels. The company can face litigation, lose consumers, and create a very bad name for its brand if the severity of this matter is not taken serious enough. Or in turn make a consumer very ill and even come close to a near death situation. I am a soccer coach and some of the most common allergic reactions to some foods has to do with ‘peanuts.’ So, we always have to make sure we are frank when passing out food schedules and making sure parents are warned before purchasing food products containing this particular ingredient. All in all, this was a noteworthy article based on the factors discussed.
  
  Kindest regards,
  
  Loren Looney
  
  Reference:
  
  Kotler, P., & Keller, K.L. (2016). A framework for marketing management. Boston: Pearson.

• #17 by Victoria Vilsaint on 4/6/17 - 3:35 PM

  

  I agree with Dr. Weisfeld-Spolter article. I have a 4 year old nephew who is allergic to a list of items such as tree nuts, milk and berries. The Allergens my nephew have has increase his parents shopping time and my sister-in-law has grown to be very apprehension on product labeling. She believes the supplier can make a mistake and that mistake can cost her son his life. However, I do believe and have seen a few items that appear to be labeled with pictures indicating whether the item contains any allergens such as wheat or nuts. Since my daughter and I do not appear to be allergic to any food(s), I can only assume picture labeling is sufficient. On the other hand, to better understand the issue, I will accompany my sister-in-law and/or my brother grocery shopping to get a better and full understanding on the issue.

• #18 by Stephanie Ramcharran on 4/6/17 - 4:06 PM

  

  Hello,
  I agree with Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter regarding this article. I have never realized the difficulty of what an allergic consumer would have to go through in order to eat a certain item. If I were allergic to dairy and I say a soy free yogurt, I as a consumer would automatically think that there would be no kind of dairy substance in the yogurt. There needs to be a lot more regulations and research done in order for these companies to provide products that they are actually producing. In America, we know the major allergens for people, which are peanuts, shellfish, dairy, eggs, wheat and so on, and these major allergens that are common should be monitored a lot more, for products that are stating they are free of certain ingredients. It's quite shocking that there are products out there that could distort the reality of what you are actually receiving.

• #19 by Verushka Alvarez on 4/6/17 - 5:03 PM

  

  I completely agree with Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter’s assessment of food product labels that are deceiving. I think that the food labeling industry should be highly regulated because it can cause serious illnesses in some individuals. The food industry knows how to market their products to the right target market and create misleading information in order to attract customers and make profit. I personally think that this type of act from the food industry in unethical because they are not being honest to the public. The example of the O’soy yogurt in the blog demonstrates how the name of the product suggests that it is dairy free and that it is made from soy, yet on the black label it indicates that the product contains milk. In this example you can see how truly misleading the name of the product is and how it can severely cause damage to those who are allergic to milk.
  
  I have many experiences that are similar to the example provided in the blog. I am currently going through newfound allergies that my stomach is not handling well. At the moment my stomach does not process diary, beans, and other food items that cause irritation through my digestive system. Since I have to now endure new changes to my eating habits, I now have to keep a close eye to the ingredients that I eat. This has made it increasingly difficult to shop at the grocery store because I noticed that there are many food products that mislead the buyer. I think that in order to improve the food labeling system, the food industry should have stricter regulations on their marketing efforts and product names.

• #20 by Juan Silva on 4/6/17 - 6:59 PM

  

  This is an interesting article posted by  Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter. Fortunately, I’m not allergic to anything, so when I purchase products I never read the label to check what is on it, but I do agree that food companies should institute clear labeling if the products place consumers at risk for harm, regardless of legislative mandates. There are many people with different types of food allergies and food companies should label very clear what ingredients their food contains and highlight that such ingredients could be potentially harmful for people with certain type of allergies.

• #21 by Ricardo Puyana on 4/6/17 - 7:30 PM

  

  I feel identified by this post as myself am a person who has suffer from allergies my whole life. When I was very young I was allergic to flour (that means spaghetti, and a lot of latino food), eggs, milk, fish among other ingredients of everyday cooking. For my mom it was very hard to address my food needs and usually had to travel up to 45 minutes to a store that was actually known to offer non allergic alternatives for food. It happened to me in many birthdays that for unclear tag specifications I suffered rashes across my body, the only solution to that problem was to bring my own candy to my little friend’s parties.
  Luckily nowadays I was able to overcome about 90% of my food allergies (except for some see food and peanuts). Usually in the supermarket I don’t have a lot of problems since once I find a brand that fits my needs I usually maintain it as part of my shopping list because I know that it won’t hurt me. Now the real problem comes at restaurants, when restaurant don’t make warnings for customers on what ingredients they use they put in real danger the life of their customers. Worst of all its incredible how very few of them actually have some sort of antiallergic available (If I ever open a restaurant one of my policies would be to have some basic allergic medication available at all times). One example of this was in last month I went with a group of friends to eat in a restaurant and one of the salads had a tiny sized crushed peanut, luckily I didn’t have any but a friend of mine that is allergic to peanuts, not mortally thank god, started feeling real bad and that was when we discovered that the salad actually had peanuts by asking the waitress, as I usually have antiallergics with me the problem stopped at a tiny rash and discomfort but it could have been more serious.
  The National Center for Health Statistics (2014) states than more that 4 million children have food allergies. Also, Peanuts, milk and Shellfish are in that order the most common food allergies in the US according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (as cited by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2015). I believe there is not only a real market need for allergic customers but ethical implications for the food industry to properly inform and communicate the potential risk of consuming their products as with many brands that warn users that their products may have exposure with peanuts for example.
  In conclusion, I agree with the author Sara Weisfeld on regards of the importance of proper labeling. I believe it’s a matter of ethical importance for companies to proper inform their customers and would propose a to add a symbol for products that have or may have had contact with peanuts, milk and others to be added to labels that would be use as an allergy warning. As its better to lose a customer for allergy problems than to face legal complications for damaging one customer’s heath.
  
  Sources:
  American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. (2015). Allergy Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/allergy-...
  Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2015). Allergy Facts and Figures. Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org/page/allergy-facts.aspx

• #22 by Thomas Rivera on 4/6/17 - 7:31 PM

  

  Good Afternoon,
     Professor, I do agree that the issue of unclear labelling and packaging is a problem for the allergic consumer. Although it doesn’t affect me directly it can be a dangerous situation for someone who relies on this information solely for purchasing purposes. I do feel if you are allergic to a certain item and it could cause health problems or even death then you would be more careful with you purchase. No matter what the labelling said I would do as much research as possible which included looking at the ingredients. If not 100 percent sure I would leave it until I could further investigate. This being said Companies should be socially responsible and furthermore legally responsible in regards to how they relay information to the consumer.

• #23 by engers duran on 4/6/17 - 9:17 PM

  

  I believe that to prevent any food allergy in individuals is very important that companies list the top eight allergens on food labels. According to the FDA there is an estimated that 2 percent of adults and about 5 percent of infants and young children in the U.S suffer from food allergies. Approximately 30,000 consumers require emergency room treatment and 150 Americans die each year because of allergic reactions to food (https://www.fda.gov). After I read this article, I found that the free coconut pies I used to buy in Wall-mart contains sugar. It is no good for my mother’s health since she has diabetes 2. I learned that some manufacturers do not follow FDA regulations that requires that the label or a food that contains an ingredient that is or contains proteins from a “major food allergen” declare the presence of the allergen in the manner described by the law (https://www.fda.gov).
  Thanks

• #24 by Jennybel Herrera on 4/6/17 - 9:24 PM

  

  I agree with Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter the labels on products that contain misleading information on specific allergens should be stated much more clearly for consumers. There should definitely be stricter regulations in regards to this and companies should ethically state things clearly. If allergens are present in a product it should be stated in the front especially if it is a product such as "O'Soy" yogurt anyone would think it is a nondairy product. We also have to think of the elderly who might not see too well or who simply do not read the label as profoundly as someone younger would. This is such a risk and depending on the severity of their allergy it can lead to serious consequences. This is a topic that needs to be researched more and serious action needs to be taken in order to make products that contain allergens more consumer friendly and less misleading, its the ethical thing to do.

• #25 by Alissa Fudge on 4/6/17 - 9:47 PM

  

  My son and I have mild lactose intolerance, but nothing more than being really uncomfortable. We are all fortunate enough not to have any major food allergies that are life threatening. Although I am not allergic to peanuts or gluten, my daughter goes to daycare where there are about 4 kids in her class that are. I was unaware how hard it is to find a candy that did not have a label that said was processed in a factory with peanuts and milk. I went to look at little snack packs for the class and most of them that were gluten free were still made where there were nuts. I was so frustrated trying to find snacks for Valentine’s Day that I ended up getting them activities. I think that companies should make it easier to identify what major allergens are in the product without going all the way through their ingredient list and it being in small brackets at the end. The ingredient list should be easier to find (Grishin, Wogalter, & Walkington, 2016). I could not imagine how frustrating it is for people that have those allergies to grocery shop. I have a coworker that is allergic to cheese, she said that it amazes her how many times she goes out, asks to get something that has not been around cheese, and then breaks out because they did not listen to her needs. She said people do not think it is that big of a deal.
  
  There is great importance in labeling being correct and not misleading. Misleading ingredient lists can lead to unhealthy choices, allergic reactions, and potentially death. When the label has resulted in one of these things the company can face a lawsuit and lose their credibility in the industry. I agree misleading label information is a major problem for individuals with food allergies. The example provided by Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter is a perfect example of how something can give the impression that it is a soy product, but actually had milk in it. Research conducted shows that if companies put the ingredient list at the top above the nutrition information that it would easier for people to find the ingredients they are trying to avoid (Grishin et al., 2016). Companies should put more research into what works best for the consumer to be able to identify the best way to present important ingredient information. Naming on products should also not mislead people to believe that a product is made of one type of ingredient, while it has allergens in it that could be harmful to the consumer. A website called Mechanical Turk can be used to help a company figure out which label is the easiest to read (Grishin et al., 2016). Organizations should put the item name and label layout with a question asking which one makes it easiest to realize that a certain ingredient is in there. The company may also want to do a questionnaire with a picture of the label asking questions about how noticeable it is that a particular ingredient is in there. The consumer’s safety should be the most important thing for a company.
  -Alissa
  References
  Grishin, J., Wogalter, M. S., & Walkington, W. (2016). Improving food labels for health and safety: Effects of ingredients list placement on search times. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 60(1), 1637-1641. doi:10.1177/1541931213601377

• #26 by Monique Hunter on 4/6/17 - 11:21 PM

  

  I most definitely agree with Dr. Weisfeld-Spolter's view that companies and organizations should be more transparent about the labeling and ingredients of their products. So often as consumers we get wrapped up in the fancy outer appearance and packaging that we fail to recognize the label information in its entirety. Therefore, it is the duty of the manufacturers to protect these consumers who have these food allergies that purchase their products. In order for a business to stay successful and to keep from deceiving their customers, they must remain honest and be clear with their labeling.

• #27 by Terri-Ann Bethune on 4/6/17 - 11:31 PM

  

  Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter’s blog post titled, “You are what you eat”, if nothing else, has certainly taught me to assume nothing and never leave anything to chance. At first glance, as I shop at Publix, I would assume that the O’Soy brand was completely soy, with no trace of dairy, but this blog has taught me differently. I agree with Dr. Suri Weisfeld-Spolter, “labeling issues is an under-researched and newly emerging issue that need to be addressed.” I have an 8 year old that is allergic to all nuts and most times when I go to the store to purchase cookies or cereal, nuts are the first thing I look for on the labeling. Often times when I purchase chocolate chip cookies, I’ll see the disclaimer, “produced in a factory where nuts were present.” I still take the risk and give him the chocolate chip cookies, as they are his favorite. However, until now the thought never came to mind, “what if you give him these cookies and he has a fatal allergic reaction?” I do believe companies can do a better job at labeling, but I also believe it is the consumers job to research the products that they are consuming. “Ignorance is not an excuse in the end, unless a judge and/or jury sees differently.” Interesting enough, my mother has no allergies that I know of, but her religion prohibits her from eating pork, and for the last 33+ years she has consumed Gelatin Jell-o, which the gelatin comes from pigskin, and she never knew until I informed her. Safe to say, she no longer eats jello, but is the company at fault for not marking it on the label, or is the consumer at fault for not knowing what the product is derived from? It definitely makes for an easier and safe shopping experience when things are clearly marked.

• #28 by Camila Mangieri on 4/8/17 - 2:51 PM

  

  I experienced something similar to the example shared above. I suffer from a skin condition called psoriasis, and for some unknown reasons the skin gets red and irritated depending of which kind of food I eat. There is no cure for the disease so all I can do is try control. Psoriasis is a skin condition that eliminates toxins through your skin. It is related to your diet and stress.
  
  Recently I tried to do my grocery shopping at Wholefoods, since they advertise to sell organic and non-genetically modified products. However when I took time to read the product labels in detail,I found out that some of the products I was purchasing at Wholefoods were just as unhealthy as the products I was buying at Publix and Wallmart. At this point I just gave up eating EGGS, Drinking Wine and all foods that triggers my skin condition to get worst.
  Would be great to have the correct information right in front of product labels and it would also be fair to customers looking for healthier alternatives.
  Customer don't mind to pay extra couple of bucks in order to have access to healthier products.

• #29 by Marianne De Armas on 4/8/17 - 9:45 PM

  

  I have to say that I agree with author regarding this topic. Manufacturers should have detailed and clear-cut labeling on all food and/or drink items, especially allergen related groceries. Food allergies have become so prevalent that they now affect many individuals worldwide. To try and decrease avoidable accidents, manufacturers need to be extra cautious and consider the possibility of accidentally contaminating an individual with a food allergen. In order to ensure that individuals with food allergies have a peace of mind when they navigate through the aisles of the food stores, stricter laws and regular testing should be imposed and monitored in order to avoid contamination.

• #30 by Valentina Serna on 4/10/17 - 11:15 AM

  

  I agree with the author in this article, companies must pay attention to the way they market certain products. Not labeling products correctly or with misleading information draws a line from trying to market products to playing with people’s life. I must agree that now a day there is more than one word for certain ingredients. Take glucose for example, it can be referred to as dextrose, sugar, starch, and glycogen making it harder for customers to distinguish the ingredient if they do not know all the different names for it (Niedziocha, 2015). This also makes it harder for companies because there is only so many words that can fit into a product’s label.
  
  Whether companies are doing it intentional or unintentional, they need to be very cautious since people dying from allergic reactions due to mislabeling can bring lawsuits. Lawsuits come at a greater price than if they would have marketed/labeled the product correctly in the first place. It not only affects the company’s pocket but it can also taint their image and reputation which can be a bigger problem in the long run.
  
  In my opinion, to prevent misinterpretation in labels, companies along with doctors should come up with a color-coded system which associates ingredients to certain colors. I for one hate standing in the supermarket and reading through every single ingredient when half of them I don’t even know what they mean. The color-coded system makes it easier for customers to figure out if the product contains an ingredient they may be allergic to. Doctor’s would help customers identify which ‘colors’ they are allergic, this would help customers know ahead of time what to look for.

• #31 by Andre on 4/12/17 - 6:26 PM

  

  While I can appreciate the difficulty in your position, I feel that using a label to determine whether something is good for you is a big mistake. It's literally judging a book by its cover. Not to mention that regulating the title's of products would trample freedom of speech. I can't comment on how the EU regulates their ingredient list but the United States pretty clearly states, not only the ingredients used in a product, it even says if the product is made in a factory with common allergens. Anyone traveling to other countries, with special dietary needs or allergies, should do their research to ensure they find the appropriate venues rather than require that an entire nation changes their practices to fit your preferences.

• #32 by Chase Gaiefsky on 4/12/17 - 7:14 PM

  

  As someone who is lactose intolerant and has many food issues, this article is particularly important to me. The fact that consumers must play a guessing game when it comes to which ingredients food products contain, especially when this decision could have serious health risks should the individual consume an ingredient they are allergic to, is severely concerning. A more regulated system must be implemented to ensure proper labeling of ingredients to assist allergic customers in living a healthy lifestyle.

• #33 by Leidy Porres on 4/13/17 - 4:31 PM

  

  The food regulation in the United States really needs to step up their game! Misleading labels could potentially put someone's life at risk and that is absolutely unacceptable! Although, I do agree that companies must be extremely clear when labeling their products, consumers must also become more informed! I am accustomed to reading my ingredients in all the items I purchase, because I follow a particular diet.
  I have noted that people who have any type of food allergens are actually more inclined to reading the ingredients in a product.
  The reality is, people should avoid buying processed foods, and instead focus on eating real, whole foods!

• #34 by Emma Wahlstrom on 4/13/17 - 5:47 PM

  

  I recognize myself a lot in this post as I am lactose and gluten intolerant as well. Many packages are misleading when it comes to what it contains and the general perception of the product. For example, different protein shakes that targets people with a healthy lifestyle (muscle gain and fat reduction) by highlighting high amounts of protein and low fat, but contains ingredients that conflicts with the consumers intended result. For example, these drinks often contains high amounts of sugar or other substances.

• #35 by Morgan Kiloh on 4/14/17 - 4:17 PM

  

  After reading and understanding the main points of the article, I have come to realize the problem lies with a miscommunication of the intentions of the companies who are being accused of misinforming customers by incorrect advertising. Having deceptive and confusing labels on products doesn't make any sense to me because these companies are obviously not trying to target customers who have allergies to their products, rather the customers that do not. Having clear cut, visible warning signs on every label stating the possible ingredients that have the potential of causing the consumer harm, is practical and seems more than achievable. Companies that are being accused of misinforming their customers by not stating all active ingredients should not be disciplined, rather they should make the necessary changes to ensure consumer safety.

• #36 by Jeevana Pakanati on 4/14/17 - 11:02 PM

  

  I highly agree with you that food should be labeled more accurately based on the substances that make it up. An instance during which I purchased a product that trigged my allergies has not happen to me yet, however, I know that one of my friends had to deal with it. He purchased a non-nuts product due to him being allergic to all kinds of nuts, however this product caused a reaction within him that required him to go to the emergency room. I was not only upset that he had to deal with such an incident, but also upset about how unethically that product was labeled. This is definitely a growing issue when people who are allergic do not receive an honest warning and as a result, end up having to go to the hospital. I strongly advocate improving food labels by increasing FDA standards as well as for companies to have FDA's approval before airing a food product as "allergic" free.

• #37 by Olivia Pryor on 5/1/17 - 3:57 AM

  

  Yes, I completely agree that changes have to be made in our legislation in order to prevent someone from seriously getting hurt. "O'Soy" should not be allowed to market their product as organic soy yogurt and put that on the front label and then write on the back (in an attempt to convey fine print) "contains milk". They are only doing this so that the few who miss this information will be tricked into buying the product so they'll make more money. Whereas if they put it on the front in large bold lettering they would probably have fewer consumers of their products.

• #38 by extramural on 6/28/17 - 3:40 AM

  

  nice article. continue the good work

• #39 by Elizabeth Golshteyn on 9/26/17 - 3:05 PM

  

  I'm Vegan and Lactose Intolerant, so to find products that suits my needs can be difficult. Sometimes, a product might state that it is dairy-free, but in reality it does contain some sort of milk substance. For instance, ice cream contains dairy products, but there are some ice creams that states it is dairy-free, but may contain soy, almond, or coconut milk. It can be dangerous to some consumers who are allergic to all forms of milk; there are also many individuals who are allergic to gluten, but if you read the back of many products, it might contain wheat or yeast products to make the base of a product.
  According to the aticle, more information and studying is needed to support these claims, but for now; I believe people should carefully read the back of the ingredient list to fully trust that the product does not contain any allergic substances.
  Furthermore, meat alternatives for Vegans can be difficult because if you read the back of a alternative chicken nugget made up of grains; you'll see chemicals such as canola oil, soy, or other chemicals that are hard to read or understand that may pose a threat to the human body.

• #40 by Product Packaging in Melbourne on 9/29/17 - 5:12 AM

  

  Without it, many of the goods manufactured or grown would be damaged or spoiled before they reached the shops. In less developed countries without the sophisticated distribution and packaging systems that we have in the UK, as much as 50% of food never reaches consumers.
  Some goods (such as fruit and vegetables) do not need any protection for shoppers to carry them home – but none could be transported from producer to shop without packaging. Packaging involves a multi-stage process for getting goods from production to consumption. It includes primary or sales packaging (what we take home), secondary packaging (boxes, trays and film wrap that group the items together) and transport packaging (cartons, larger containers and pallets that allow the grouped items to be loaded onto lorries). The packaging for all three stages is chosen in combination to provide the right level of protection to keep damage and wastage to a minimum

• #41 by Briana on 9/29/17 - 11:27 AM

  

  I found this article to be extremely helpful for myself since I am going into the Athletic field, and making sure athletes eat proper is very important for their performance. However, seeing a large group of athletes it is very common now to see people with allergies. I, myself do not have allergies so I am not very conscious of the food labels. I would have never thought “O’Soy” products contained milk from looking at the front of the container. This is a great way to bring people’s attention to always making sure to check the back labels. However, changing the products name would probably also be helpful since it in fact is not an organic soy yogurt.

• #42 by Julieta Cristina on 1/10/18 - 3:55 PM

  

  Several foods harmful to me, such as milk, my question may seem silly but how do I feel bad ?. My case is that as of everything and in theory I do not feel bad. For example, if in the afternoon I drink a glass of milk, it does not hurt at all the rest of the day.

• #43 by Criminal Defense on 2/12/18 - 10:18 PM

  

  If we are what we eat i'm in huge trouble:) I have started drinking milk again for the first time in 20 years. I actually like it and feel healthier. thanks for the posts.

• #44 by lararumble on 8/7/18 - 11:57 AM

  

  I've read the book and really enjoyed it. https://secure.business.nova.edu/

• #45 by Dave on 9/8/18 - 8:23 PM

  

  So true. I am in the middle of Sugar, Fat, Salt (the novel). It is so eye-opening. It has changed my whole life. Thanks for the great article. Cheers. Dave.