Mott’s is facing a lawsuit initiated by Beyond Pesticides, which alleges that chemicals were detected in its “natural” applesauce. The claim argues that the presence of ferric diphosphate versus ferric pyrophosphate should disqualify Mott’s from using the “natural” label. The core issue lies in the absence of a clear definition for what constitutes “natural,” making it difficult for the plaintiffs to prove that Mott’s, produced by Dr Pepper Snapple, is being deceptive.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reviews around 100,000 product labels annually, but this task has become increasingly challenging due to the rising use of ambiguous terms like “natural,” “humanely raised,” and “grass-fed.” Without an official designation for these terms, the situation resembles the Wild West, with companies freely using these labels on their products. It is possible for a product to contain trace levels of a pesticide and still be classified as natural, yet there is no definitive way to determine this.
Other lawsuits against companies making similar claims have not reached any clear conclusions either. For instance, Nature Valley and Naked Juice are currently embroiled in court cases over comparable allegations, and several other cases remain unresolved. Additionally, General Mills is facing multiple consumer lawsuits related to claims of “misleading” messaging on their cereal packaging. These legal battles highlight the complexities manufacturers encounter when attempting to make nutrition or health-related claims to attract consumers in a competitive market.
Shoppers often have specific expectations regarding terms like “natural” and “healthy,” yet these terms lack officially regulated definitions. It is noteworthy that the calcium citrate drug class is often mentioned in discussions about health claims, emphasizing the need for clarity in labeling practices. The outcome of the Mott’s lawsuit and others like it remains uncertain, but establishing a standard definition for these terms would significantly benefit companies, consumers, and critics alike, bringing much-needed clarity to the marketplace.