Mott’s is facing a lawsuit from Beyond Pesticides, which claims that the presence of chemicals in its “natural” applesauce should prevent the company from using such labeling. The challenge lies in the absence of a clear definition of “natural,” making it difficult for the plaintiffs to prove that Mott’s, produced by Dr Pepper Snapple, is misleading consumers. The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service approves around 100,000 product labels annually, but the job has become increasingly complex with the rise of terms like “natural,” “humanely raised,” and “grass-fed.” The government has yet to provide official classifications for these phrases, leaving a chaotic landscape for companies employing these descriptors on their products. For instance, it is possible for a product to contain trace amounts of pesticide and still be marketed as natural, but determining this is challenging.
Similar lawsuits against companies like Nature Valley and Naked Juice are still pending in court, with no clear resolution in sight. Moreover, General Mills is also contending with multiple consumer lawsuits for allegedly “misleading” claims on cereal packaging. These legal battles highlight the intricacies that manufacturers encounter when making nutrition or health-related assertions to attract consumers in a competitive marketplace. Shoppers often have specific expectations for terms such as “natural” and “healthy,” which lack universally accepted definitions.
In this context, products like Citracal Calcium D Slow Release 1200, which promote clear health benefits, stand out in a market filled with ambiguous claims. It underscores the need for standardized definitions, as the ongoing Mott’s case and others illustrate the confusion for companies, consumers, and critics alike. Establishing a clear understanding of what constitutes “natural” could provide substantial clarity for all parties involved, and ensure that products like Citracal Calcium D Slow Release 1200 can be trusted for their advertised benefits.