what’s in a label?

Someone Sued Because ‘Natural’ Nature Valley Granola Bars Contain Common Pesticide

Someone Sued Because ‘Natural’ Nature Valley Granola Bars Contain Common Pesticide

Although the term “natural” is not defined by the federal government — allowing basically any food company to slap it on a product’s label — a judge has decided that General Mills’ use of the term to describe granola bars that contain herbicide is not deceptive. [More]

(Nicholas Eckhart)

Walmart To Pay $1M For Mislabeled “Degradable” Plastic Products

When you buy something that says it’s “biodegradable” or “compostable,” you expect it to be just that. But that wasn’t necessarily the case at some California Walmart stores, where the big box retailer has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve claims that it sold misleadingly labeled items.  [More]

Lawsuits Claim “100% Natural” Label On Nature Valley Granola Bars Is Deceptive

Lawsuits Claim “100% Natural” Label On Nature Valley Granola Bars Is Deceptive

What exactly constitutes a “100% natural” food is a matter of much debate, but four new lawsuits argue that granola shouldn’t claim to be 100% natural because if contain small amounts of a common pesticide.
[More]

(Left: Courtesy of BleedingCool.com; Right: DisneyStore.com)

“Boy” Costume For Female Star Wars Character Was Supposed To Be Unisex, Says Manufacturer

You might be aware of this, but Disney has a new Star Wars flick coming out soon. As such, there’s been a flood of products tied to The Force Awakens — everything from toys to costumes, droid dolls to pajama sets. One of those costumes is for the Captain Phasma character, a new villain played by Gwendoline Christie (aka Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones) — a character that girls and boys alike might want to dress up as for Halloween (or for a regular Tuesday). So how come it’s being sold with a “BOY” label on it in a store? [More]

Apple No Longer Labeling Apps As “Free” In The App Store, Though They’re Still Free

Apple No Longer Labeling Apps As “Free” In The App Store, Though They’re Still Free

A successful marketer knows that part of the big sell to customers is all in the language — and it seems Apple doesn’t want to use that dirty “F” word in its App Store to push apps anymore. Customers started noticing recently that on most applications that don’t cost a penny, the button to download them has changed from “FREE” to “GET.” [More]

Food Watchdog Group Threatens To Sue Campbell Over Juice Content Of V8 Splash, V8 V-Fusion Drinks

Food Watchdog Group Threatens To Sue Campbell Over Juice Content Of V8 Splash, V8 V-Fusion Drinks

While it’s known for its 100% V8 vegetable juice, Campbell Soup knows not everyone wants to straight up chug tomatoes. That’s why it’s been peddling its V8 Splash and V8 V-Fusion drinks, which combines fruit juices as well as those healthy veggies. But one food watchdog group says the company is misleading consumers about exactly how much juice is actually in those beverages. It’s threatening to sue Campbell. [More]