I am wondering how the label natural is used in todays time. Do you think all foods labeled as "natural" are truly natural?
In fact, that 'natural' label really means nothing. ... According to the USDA, products with an “All Natural” label can still contain a multitude of additives, hormones, genetically modified ingredients (GMOs), antibiotics, pesticides and more.
I think that most of the labels do not report correctly. Industry have realized that with healthy food (and others) much money can be earned. It has become essential that efforts are at place to inform consumers about the reliability of labels. Still it is difficult for consumers to have an overview and make informed decisions. Green-washing happens far too often.
If a country that respects its citizens and has credibility checks all the products and does not allow a lie in this matter, and every sign is completely true.
Dear Mohammed Kemal ,
Great discussion topic.
In my opinion food manufactures are abusing the name natural for foods that are not even close to natural. As Afraa Ibrahim said in her reply there should be credibility checks for all products not to mislead the consumers.
Regards.
Following all the great responses!! Thank you Lubaba Yemer , Afraa Ibrahim Abdellah LAMNII , Eberhard Weber and appreciated your time to share your thoughts!!
I agree with Afraa Ibrahim, it is related to the respect of the rulers of the country to citizens and their implementation of the rules.
More often than not, products having 'natural' lebel are truly natural when produced to cater a specific and limited set up customers. But, eventually, as the customer base grows and demand increases, companies tend to depend on artificial ways to cater the extra need.
I hope so that. Countries have a lot of responsibility in this regard. It is not possible to attach a "natural" label to each manufacturer's product. It must have rules and be supervised.
The term 'natural' is one of those that consumers respond to positively as a food descriptor. However, its definition is difficult. To address this, ISO have issued a standard, ISO/TS 19657:2017 Definitions and technical criteria for food ingredients to be considered as natural (https://www.iso.org/standard/65717.html), which may be helpful. I am not sure how widely it has been taken up by food manufacturers.
I understand that the label has to bring the true information, whether due to the laws or ethics of the companies
If the imported food is subject to the quality control of that country and sealed and it has to bear all this information in the case of the countries that have credibility and control over all incoming and outgoing materials. As for our country, unfortunately things got mixed up and there was no credibility in everything.
In fact, that 'natural' label really means nothing. ... According to the USDA, products with an “All Natural” label can still contain a multitude of additives, hormones, genetically modified ingredients (GMOs), antibiotics, pesticides and more.
It depends on what the term "natural" constitutes, depending on the country/place. But, basing on the common meaning of the word "natural," it is not true that all foods labelled "natural" are natural, this is simply because "natural foods" should be fresh and unprocessed (in simple terms). They are also difficult to handle given the fact that they spoil quickly. They are loved as they are considered safe from "contamination." From that perspective, it is nowadays common that foods are labelled natural simply to attract purchasers/consumers (market/business issue) and not to really provide natural foods to them. The challenge remain: how can the ever growing world population be satisfied with natural foods.
Thank you James Chacha and Haji Saediman for sharing your insights! Those are really great points.
Dear Eman Ali Al- Khafaji and Fatima Faiq , thank you for sharing your insights in this lively discussion.
Hi Philip G. Creed and Eberhard Weber ! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I do agree that the word natural considered as positive for many of the consumers. That's why people some times get fooled, just because of the word. Would there be something that's harmful to our health being natural ? What's your idea Haji Saediman , James Chacha , Dr-Maysoon ALI A-ALHadi , Philip G. Creed , Zubaida Falih Al-Zubaidi , Lamia Al-Naama , Yamen Al-Jajan , Ahmad Saad Ahmad Al-Dafrawi , Sajda Taha Mahmood , Radu Catalin Tarca Mehri Takhvar ??
It would depend on the country and how it defines it. In the USA for a product to be certified "organic" certain criteria must be met. I do not believe that there are a set of rules that define what is considered "natural" in this country. Of course, some manufacturers take advantage of the ambiguity.
Thank you Mr. Mohammed Kemal, for this important useful discussion.
My answer to your question will inevitably vary depending on 3 types of foods:
1. For processed and canned foods, they are not of a release nature even if they are marked with a seal that confirms that they are free of preservatives.
2. Foods that are genetically modified and improved are 100% unnatural foods.
3. For organically produced and cultivated foods, they are likely to be 100% natural.
For more information about No 2, please check the link below:
https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/groundcover/ground-cover-issue-41-wa/gene-technology-what-is-it-and-how-is-it-used
Dear Ahmad Saad Ahmad Al-Dafrawi , thank you for sharing your additional insight on the discussion.
Dear Srini Vasan i do agree with you that there might be variations across country. Thank you for sharing your insight!
It is true that all the natural products labelled as natural are not natural. Kindly look into the ingredients printed on the product, you can get the perfect answer. Once the additional sugar has been added to the product, it's not natural.
No if on declaration is no code number of food product, such as GGN or Global G.A.P. number and/or other additional labels of certified food quality systems and control bodies, i.e. accredited laboratories and food agencies responsible for control of food products, whether they are declared as organic, natural or ecological. Otherwise, it could be just a marketing trick for consumers.
Many years in science have taught me to relativism. Not always written is the truth. But in any case, I take into account the labels on the product, if these are present.
When it comes to business, nothing is certain about food that is natural.
HI,
In such contexts, "Natural" doesn't relate to the literary sense. The product majorly contains natural extracts with food grade flavours, preservatives, and colouring agents.
This is a popular brand, everything can be hidden behind it. Unfortunately, something that is often not natural ...
Respectfully to all
This is a rhetorical question, isn't it? I'm afraid that the "natural" is too expensive to eat.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Cognitive Science
- Thinking