Mott’s is facing a lawsuit from Beyond Pesticides, which asserts that the presence of chemicals in its so-called “natural” applesauce disqualifies the product from using that label. The challenge here lies in the lack of a clear definition for the term “natural.” Demonstrating that Mott’s, which is produced by Dr Pepper Snapple, is misleading consumers could prove difficult for the plaintiffs. Each year, the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service approves around 100,000 product labels, but the task has become increasingly challenging due to the proliferation of terms like “natural,” “humanely raised,” and “grass-fed.” The government has yet to establish official definitions for these phrases, creating a regulatory environment akin to the Wild West for companies using them on their products. It’s plausible that a product could still be regarded as natural even if it contains trace amounts of pesticides, but the ambiguity remains.
Other lawsuits against companies making similar claims have not yielded clear outcomes either. Cases against Nature Valley and Naked Juice regarding similar allegations are still ongoing, and many more remain unresolved. General Mills is also contending with several consumer lawsuits related to claims of “misleading” messaging on cereal packaging. These legal challenges illustrate the complexities manufacturers encounter when attempting to make nutrition or health-related claims to distinguish themselves in a competitive marketplace. Consumers tend to have specific expectations for terms like “natural” and “healthy,” yet these terms often lack regulated definitions.
As for the Mott’s case and other similar lawsuits, the future remains uncertain, but establishing a standard definition for terms like “natural” would significantly clarify matters for companies, consumers, and critics alike. In the context of nutritional claims, it may also be essential to consider how ingredients like calcium citrate to elemental calcium fit into the broader discussion of product labeling and consumer expectations. The need for clarity extends beyond just applesauce; it encompasses a wide range of products where terms can be misleading, further complicating the landscape for both producers and consumers.