March 28, 2024

Letters: Beyond the Food Labels

Beyond the Food Labels

To the Editor:

Parents shouldn’t need a magnifying glass — or an advanced degree in nutrition — to figure out if a food product is healthy for their children (“Foods With Benefits, or So They Say,” May 15). And it shouldn’t take a lawsuit to stop food companies from making deceptive health claims.

We need our federal government to set nonvoluntary standards for marketing products to kids, and to put some teeth into existing health claim regulations. It is ironic that the very foods we want our children and families to eat — whole and minimally processed foods — often have little to no dollars spent on advertising and promotion.

Amid a national crisis of unhealthy eating, our parents deserve honest information and affordable, healthy options.

Juliet Sims

Oakland, Calif., May 16

The writer is a program coordinator at Prevention Institute.

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To the Editor:

There is an undervalued, extraordinary item belonging to the “functional foods” category that was not mentioned in your excellent article describing how manufacturers deftly navigate marketing and science, without crossing the line of “medical foods” requiring more strict regulation.

Supported by extensive scientific and medical literature, this item can help prevent — though not cure — sinus and bladder infection, help stave off the common cold or flu and extend physical endurance.

Renowned for its hydration properties and zero calories, it can be obtained from any home by using a faucet.

Jeffrey H. Toney, Ph.D.

Union, N.J., May 15

The writer is dean of the College of Natural, Applied and Health Sciences at Kean University.

Letters for Sunday Business may be sent to sunbiz@nytimes.com.

Article source: http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=accba8cbc33b1afa74b3b7fee2336e5c

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