Mott’s is facing a lawsuit from Beyond Pesticides, which argues that the presence of chemicals in its “natural” applesauce disqualifies the product from making such claims. The challenge lies in the lack of a clear definition for what “natural” actually means, making it difficult for the plaintiffs to prove that Mott’s, owned by Dr Pepper Snapple, is being deceptive. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service approves around 100,000 product labels annually, but the rise of ambiguous terms like “natural,” “humanely raised,” and “grass-fed” complicates this task. Without an official classification for these terms, the situation resembles the wild west, with companies freely using these descriptors on their products. It’s possible for a product to contain trace amounts of a pesticide and still be labeled as natural, though determining this can be challenging.
Similar lawsuits against other brands, such as Nature Valley and Naked Juice, have yet to reach any definitive conclusions, and additional cases are still pending. General Mills is also dealing with several consumer lawsuits regarding “misleading” claims on cereal packaging. These legal battles highlight the difficulties manufacturers encounter when attempting to make health or nutrition claims to attract consumers in a competitive landscape. Shoppers have certain expectations regarding terms like “natural” and “healthy,” which often lack regulated definitions.
Amid these complexities, the introduction of products like calcium citrate chewy supplements could add another layer of confusion in the marketplace. As consumers increasingly seek transparent labeling, the need for a standardized definition of terms like “natural” becomes even more pressing. While the outcomes of the Mott’s lawsuit and others remain uncertain, establishing clear definitions could greatly benefit companies, consumers, and critics alike. The inclusion of calcium citrate chewy products in discussions about health claims underscores the ongoing challenge of navigating these ambiguous terms in consumer goods.