I pointed out that the Health Check logo when awarded to cookies deceives Canadians into thinking that Check'ed cookies are not only choices that shouldn't be limited but rather choices that are, according to their own market research,
"'nutritious', 'healthy', 'good for you' or 'approved by the Heart and Stroke Foundation.'"Perhaps in response to some of the stink I'd been raising in July 2009 the Heart and Stroke Foundation announced,
"To remain consistent with the recommendations in Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, the Cookies category is being removed from the Health Check program. Effective immediately Health Check will not accept any new food item from the Cookies category to join the program"At the time, I did in fact take them at their word (though I couldn't help but scratch my head on why it is they needed the Food Guide to suggest to them cookies shouldn't get Checks).
Perhaps I shouldn't have.
I saw this product in the supermarket the other day. It's Dole's Mixed Berry and Almond Bites and there's no mistaking that it's being promoted as a healthful choice. Its box shouts that it's made with all natural ingredients, that there are no artificial preservatives, that there are 2 grams of fibre per serving (clearly proving that Canadians don't know much about fibre given that 2g of fibre isn't all that exciting), it's part of their "Live Right" branding, and yes indeed, it sports the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Health Check logo.
Looking at the nutritional breakdown you'll find that the "bites" are 32% sugar by weight, that they have virtually nothing nutritionally redeeming in them (that 2g of fibre - you can get that from half a small apple), and that their 11 grams (nearly 3 teaspoons) of sugar per serving are just 0.1 grams shy of the sugar you'd find in an equivalent weight of Chips-Ahoy cookies.
So are these "bites" cookies? Well they sure look like cookies. I'm guessing they also taste like cookies. They certainly pack the sugar of cookies. But unlike cookies, these healthwashed "bites" are being marketed to people, likely including parents of young children, as being a healthy, good for you, choice. That in fact makes them worse than cookies because at least with cookies you won't be as likely to kid yourself into thinking they're healthy choices for you or your children.
Would love to know what the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Health Check folks call these things, because if they're not cookies, I'm not sure what I'd call them.
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It looks like a cookie, walks like a cookie, quacks like a cookie...
ReplyDeleteLMAO- gotta give it to the marketing folks, though. The only way to avoid this circus seems to be to simply stop eating processed foods. They can call it a cookie or a bite or a bar or a nugget- if it comes in a box and tastes sweet, it's going to have more sugar than is good for you 99% of the time.
ReplyDeleteRefreshing to see a DOCTOR finally standing up for our health. Way to go doc! Proud that you are Canadian.
ReplyDeleteWhy, it's a minniature granola bar, of course! And granola bars are "healthy," right? ;) Full of "real fruit" and "oats" - all things good for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm frustrated by many things that you bring to light here, including learning what foods are awarded the Heart and Stroke Health Check.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is interested in having a balanced, healthy diet/lifestyle, I believed that I was pretty knowledgeable about food and labeling. However, you have proven time and time again that I have a lot more to learn, and that the food industry is working hard to keep people like me in the dark so that product moves.
Part of my food choice process comes from relying on trusted 3rd party sources to help make informed decisions. While in the case of fast food options or 'cookies', I know enough to not be fooled that the options are really healthy (perhaps just the healthiest of the bad options), it is disappointing to consistently feel that revenues will always be priority, even for organizations who(I thought) had my best health interest at 'heart'.
I spotted this morning another "health check" approved product. SunRype FUNBITES. All the fructose (sugar) of fruit. None of the tedious chewing and swallowing of the fiber.
ReplyDeleteThe boasting about 2 grams of fibre is so hilarious. It's like advertising a painkiller with a whopping 100mg of ibuprofen.
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why I didnt support the Heart and Stroke foundation when they came a knocking last night. They get enough money from misleading consumers on food labels.
ReplyDeleteAre people never allowed to have a cookie? Come on, we all gotta live a little sometimes, and I believe the Heart and Stroke Foundation was just providing a healthier option than the alternatives. Perhaps they got a check because the snack has no trans fats and are lower in sodium than other similar snacks out there. You don't know why it was given a check other than it meets Canada's Food Guide requirements. Since when is a little sugar in moderation a crime? While there is also fructose in apples and perhaps more fibre, we can't always just eat apples.
ReplyDeleteSecond and third ingredients: sugar. Berries are 6th and 7th ingredient. And it says: 'live right'
ReplyDeleteMarketing like this? Giving health check? Shameful. This is a crime, IMO.
I did the same reflexion on my blog but about Lipton soup who as the Health check as well.
ReplyDeletehttp://alexandraleduc.com/blogue/2013/02/27/soupe-lipton-avec-logo-visez-sante/
Bonne analyse.
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