Here's something I never thought I'd hear: some Frito-Lay products are going to be carrying heart-healthy labels touting the benefits of unsaturated fats.Although it's true that unsaturated fats are much healthier than saturated ones, this seems like just another desperate attempt for generally bad-for-you products to get in on the trend towards more health-conscious foods. I will give them credit for a decently worded label, however. According to the FDA this is the statement Frito-Lay plans to use on products that meet the requirements: "Replacing saturated fat with similar amounts of unsaturated fats may reduce the risk of heart disease. To achieve this benefit, total daily calories should not increase."
I guess I can't blame them, and if it's true then it's true, right? But I wonder what products get the new labels? Doritos? Cracker Jacks? Fritos?
1. Hey, Rigel, I just read your blog about Frito Lay using "heart healthy" labels on products made with unsaturated fats. I found it very interesting. I work at the American Heart Association, where I just helped launch a campaign featuring “The Bad Fats Brothers (www.badfatsbrothers.com).” Did you check it out yet? We'd love to improve it with your help. Got any suggestions?
If you missed it, our campaign is about “bad fats” like trans fat, and was created to help consumers better understand the different fats found in foods and how to eat more sensibly. We’d like to hear your opinion – just let me know if you’re open to starting a conversation.
Posted at 5:38PM on Jun 8th 2007 by Shirley Yin-Piazza