The FDA is often criticized for not being tough enough in its regulations. But now, it’s the federal agency’s turn to come down hard on food manufacturing corporations that are making false health claims on scores of products.

According to the FDA, 22 products made by companies like Nestle, Diamond Foods and POM violate the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by using unauthorized words like “healthy” and “cholesterol free.” Using such words on product packaging requires that the item’s nutritional content must meet the FDA’s very strict definition of “healthy” or “cholesterol free.”

In an effort to be competitive with other restaurant promotions, such as IHOP’s offering of Never Ending Pancakes on February 24, Denny’s has come out with a whopper of a bad idea. Starting now and continuing through the end of March, Denny’s is offering unlimited free refills of both French fries and pancakes at participating locations nationwide. Valid 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the offer applies to any order of French fries or pancakes served with an entrée, including both original buttermilk pancakes and Denny’s Hearty Wheat pancakes.

“Clearly times are still hard and everyday we’re all looking for ways to stretch hard-earned dollars farther and farther,” said John Dillon, Vice President Marketing, Denny’s Corporation. “By offering unlimited refills on not just one but two favorite items, we are able to provide even more everyday value on items our guests love. Who doesn’t want seconds of pancakes and fries… especially when they’re free?”

Repeat after me – free is not always good. And often free comes with a non-monetary price tag.

If you have ever read a nutrition facts label, you have probably seen the “serving size” listed right at the top. But do you know where that number comes from? (Hint, not an independent third party.) It’s actually the manufacturers themselves. Buy a big packaged muffin in the store and chances are the serving size is half a muffin. Check the cookies. The serving size is probably one or two. It’s not just junky foods either. I checked my package of alfalfa sprouts. One serving is supposedly 2/3 of the entire package. Now, I love my sprouts, but I’m lucky to get a small handful on a sandwich or salad.

So why is this an issue? Well, if you haven’t heard there’s an obesity epidemic going on in the United States. We don’t get enough exercise. We don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. We sit too much. We eat too much food we don’t bother to make ourselves. We eat a lot of stuff out of boxes and packages. Probably most important, many Americans don’t really know how to nourish ourselves and balance out our eating.

Weight management is multifaceted. But when it comes to the purpose of nutrition facts labels, it’s all about educating the consumer about how much food, calories, and nutrients are in a realistic serving. So recently, the FDA has said they need to look at what they can do to help people manage how much they eat and make sure they aren’t confused by the information provided.

During Super Bowl XLIV, most of America saw the commercial for Denny’s Free Grand Slam Breakfast. It’s the second year the diner is offering this promotion, and it will no doubt lead to very long lines on Tuesday, February 9, when the free breakfast is available.

While the meal might not cost you anything, your body will pay dearly.

Made of 2 pancakes, 2 sausage links, 2 strips of bacon and 2 fried eggs, the original Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfast has:

• 795 Calories
• 50g Fat (daily recommendation is 65g total)
• 460mg Cholesterol (more than the 300mg/day recommendation)
• 2237mg Sodium (more than the 2200mg/day recommendation)
• 65g Carbs
• 2g Dietary Fiber
• 4g Sugar
• 34g Protein
  

If you’ve ever felt like understanding food labels would require foreign language certification, you’re not alone. Most people are confused about the meaning behind the words they see on packages. Believe it or not, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the food industry’s vocabulary.

Unfortunately, marketers are in stiff competition to make their product stand out in your eyes. This food label glossary will help you translate the marketing fluff into meaningful information. You’ll see that just because something is labeled “free,” “reduced,” “low” or “light” that it doesn’t always mean a healthier food item.