Mott’s is facing a lawsuit from Beyond Pesticides, which claims that chemicals were detected in its “natural” applesauce, arguing that this should prevent the brand from using such labels. The core issue lies in the absence of a clear definition for what “natural” actually means, making it difficult for the plaintiffs to prove that Mott’s, a product of Dr Pepper Snapple, is being deceptive. The Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reviews around 100,000 product labels annually, but the task has become increasingly complicated due to the rise of ambiguous terms like “natural,” “humanely raised,” and “grass-fed.” Without an official classification for these phrases, the landscape resembles the wild west, especially when it comes to the usage of terms in marketing.
It’s possible that trace amounts of pesticides could be present in a product while it is still deemed “natural,” but determining this can be challenging. Similar lawsuits against brands like Nature Valley and Naked Juice have yet to yield any definitive outcomes, and many other cases are still pending in the courts. Additionally, General Mills is contending with multiple consumer lawsuits over accusations of “misleading” claims on cereal packaging. These legal battles highlight the complexities manufacturers encounter when attempting to make nutritional or health-related assertions about their products in a competitive marketplace. Consumers have specific expectations regarding claims such as “natural” and “healthy,” yet these terms often lack regulated definitions.
Furthermore, terms like calcium citrate malate and cissus quadrangularis also face similar ambiguity in the health industry, as their benefits might not be clearly defined or universally accepted. The ongoing lawsuits, including those involving Mott’s, underscore the urgent need for standardized definitions in the food and health sectors. Such clarity would significantly aid companies, consumers, and critics alike, ensuring that claims about products are both transparent and trustworthy.