I love this story.
The EU is en route to creating a front of package labeling program for processed foods.
The program will require fat, salt and sugar content to be clearly labeled on package fronts and has lead Paolo Fulci, VP of Ferrero, maker of Nutella, to note that the EU approach carries, "risks" and that it could,
"influence even the habits and the most intimate aspects of one's personal sphere, like the genuine and healthy pleasures that are passed among generations"Which of course serves as a great quote to help explain the point of nutritional labeling reform.
So what's scaring Paolo Fulci?
I'm guessing that he thinks that if people actually knew that each and every tablespoon of Nutella contains an astonishing 4 teaspoons of sugar (in Europe Nutella has more sugar than here in Canada where each tablespoon has 3 teaspoons of sugar) it just might influence how much Nutella they consume.
The most amazing part of the story?
Apparently an Italian government official founded a support group specifically for Nutella. He's called it "Hands off Nutella" and together he and the group are accusing the EU of "nutritional fundamentalism".
How dare we nutritional fundamentalists suggest people have the right to know what they're eating.
We're madmen!
[BTW - judging by the incredulous emails, people seem very confused that there can be 4 teaspoons of sugar in a tablespoon of Nutella. What people are forgetting is that the volume of sugar in a solid will be much, much less once dissolved.]
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I once bought a one pound jar of Nutella.
ReplyDeleteI promptly gained 5 pounds.
I ask you, was that fair? (But I haven't bought Nutella since. Haven't gained 5 lbs in 2 weeks since either. Co-incidence? I don't think so.)
Dumb but serious question here. How can each tablespoon contain 3 (or 4) teaspoons of sugar when a tablespoon itself only contains 3 teaspoons in volume?
ReplyDeleteChemistry.
ReplyDeleteThe volume of sugar granules is not the same as the volume of dissolved sugar.
The 4 teaspoons are what you'd need to add to the cooking batch of Nutella and they then dissolve down into a smaller volume.
I wish Nutella's marketing weren't so heinous. I mean, "spread some energy"? Part of a "balanced breakfast"? Really?
ReplyDeleteThat said, I do love the nostalgia brought upon by eating nutella spread onto a piece of bread. They should market it for what it is: a nostalgic comfort food.
I cannot tell you how many debates I have had with people about how nutella is just as good as peanut butter. Maybe if you are eating skippy, but not if you actually eat "real" nut butters....
ReplyDeleteWe should know what is in our food, most especially those that are marketed to children.
At our house, I call Nutella exactly what it is -- "icing."
ReplyDeleteIt's a jar of hazelnut and chocolate flavored icing.
I completely agree that their advertising is monumentally deceptive. Nutella is not a nut butter and it's not a healthy treat.
Really interesting story!
ReplyDeleteAnd actually I thought everybody knew Nutella was crap but that didn't refrain anybody of eating it... apparently I was wrong they might just not know or perhaps they don't want to know.
The fact that the Italian gouvernment would help Ferrero against those "nutritional fundamentalists" (!!!) is completly crazy, but I'm not sure they really need it for the moment, when people don't want to think about something they do, they're really good at it.
Interesting how according to you Nutella has increased the sugar in their product.
ReplyDeleteIn your blog posting dated:
"MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2008
Nutella Goes Too Far
Nutella, with 2.5 teaspoons of sugar per tablespoon of spread, was promoted in the commercial to parents with a voiceover that extolled etc etc"
In this post Nutella has 3 teaspoons of sugar? I don't mean to suggest that Nutella is anything but candy in a jar, but this certainly makes me question your credibility. I will be removing your blog from my reader.
I'm rather confused. I always thought Nutella was like jam and kind of desserty. It's supposed to have nutritional value?! Woah! Not that I'm going to run out and buy some now, but that's a shocker.
ReplyDeleteWe have had Nutella in our house since I was a child, now my husband who is not Italian and our child also love it, but the key is moderation. It is an occasional treat, a teaspoon spread on some toast in the morning and so on. If we cannot control ourselves how can we be blaming companies?
ReplyDeleteYou can judge yourself:
ReplyDeleteCopied from the label:
Serving size of 2 tbsp (37g.)
Calories 200
Fat cal 100
Total fat 11g
Sat Fat 3.5g
Total Carb 22g
SUGARS 21g
Product bought in US, made in Canada
I've heard of people talk about Nutella as if it's the substance of the Gods, so Ferro must be doing it right.
ReplyDelete