Heinz is facing a legal battle regarding its Little Kids Shredz food products which they have marketed as healthy food for toddlers. However, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said that the product contains a lot of sugar.
"Heinz is marketing these products as healthy options for young children when they are not," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said, as per ABC.net. The packaging for Little Kids Shredz food products for toddlers is said to have pictures of fruit and vegetables. The packaging is also printed with a statement claiming that the product is made up of 99 percent fruit and vegetables.
Australian authorities challenge Heinz re 'healthy' claims for children's snacks https://t.co/JbZK3tPSIG #packaging #marketing
— Cantor Hindson (@chc_ideas) June 22, 2016
Heinz' Little Shredz Sugary
"These products contain over 60% sugar, which is significantly higher than that of natural fruit and vegetables - for example, an apple contains approximately 10% sugar," said Sims, as quoted by The Guardian. The ACCC also reportedly said that the Heinz toddler food can possibly impair the development of children's taste for natural fruit and vegetables.
"Heinz takes labelling of products very seriously and complies with all Australian labelling and food laws," Heinz was quoted as saying. The Little Kids Shredz toddler food has three varieties. There are peach, apple and vegetables, berries, apples and vegetables and strawberry and apple with chia seeds. It is reportedly off the market.
ACCC Took Action After Complaint
NDTV reported that ACCC took Heinz to court after the Obesity Policy Coalition filed a complaint regarding certain food products for toddlers. These are the food products for toddlers that are supposedly made up of fruits and vegetables but are actually mostly made from fruit juice concentrate and pastes.
According to the report, the World Health Organization has recommended that eating food containing fruit juice concentrate should be limited in order to decrease risk for obesity and tooth decay. The ACCC is said to be seeking injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective notices and costs.
In what ways can governments protect consumers from false claims by food manufacturers? Write your comments below.
