FACTS, FADS AND FRAUDS IN NUTRITION 7 



while at the same time it claims to "improve the complexion, feed the nerves, 

 benefit teeth and bone development, build up blood, aid digestion." A certain 

 beverage to be made with milk proclaims this health news: "is a builder of 

 strong bodies, keen minds . . . steady nerves . . . essential in everyday 

 life ... a balanced food." 4 A so-called "cream bread" claims to be a 

 "health food . . . because it is healthful. . . . It's the pure health-giving in- 

 gredients in every loaf that gives you the vitamins necessary to develop healthy 

 bodies." 5 An example of many words which say nothing but influence many. 

 The Food and Drug Administration has published notices of judgment 

 against several products making unwarranted health claims. 



Catalyn (N.J. 21213) 



Instant Alberty's Foods (N.J. 21210 and 24528) 



Nature's Vital Food (N.J. 25116) 



Ownen's Viti-Veg (N.J. 24963) 



2. BALANCED FOODS 



Vague health claims are frequently accompanied by the equally vague use 

 of the term "scientifically balanced" or "balanced foods." No one food is 

 expected to be taken alone or constitute a complete diet. When added to a 

 mixed diet which may be good or poor, no one food can insure that the diet 

 will become balanced. Beware of products advertising a "balanced composi- 

 tion." 



One current radio advertiser unhesitatingly reiterates: "The including of 



bread and baked goods in your menus assures well-balanced meals for 



every member of the family." Added to a meal consisting of other cereal 

 products or starchy foods, even the best bread would detract from the nutri- 

 tional balance of the meal, and certainly no "assurance" could be placed in 

 bread as a "balancing" item in meal planning. 



3. FOOD CONCENTRATES 



The term food concentrates is to be distinguished from the term concentrate 

 as applied to concentrated preparations of vitamins, flavorings, fruit juices, 

 etc. Dehydration is a form of concentration and to that extent dried foods or 

 milk powders may be considered concentrates, but that is not the usual use of 

 the term. 



Promoters of food mixtures consisting mainly of sucrose, malt extract, cocoa, 

 and dried milk are prone to lay undue emphasis on the scientific food concentrate 

 idea. These products are frequently wholesome and palatable and make an 

 agreeable beverage but should not be relied upon for therapeutic purposes. 

 Usually they are relatively expensive and no more nourishing than a home- 

 made chocolate milk drink. They are not true concentrates. 



The more erroneous use of the term food concentrate is its application to 

 proprietary concoctions such as mineral mixtures, dried alfalfa, kelp, etc., which 

 products are discussed later under Mineral Foods. 



4. ENERGY FOODS 



The misuse of the term energy is experiencing a wave of popularity among 

 advertisers of cereal, candy, and other carbohydrate foods. The Council on 

 Foods explain their stand on this question as follows: 1 



Reference 1 on page 4. 



Committee on Foods. J.A.M.A. 105, 120, 1935. 



Committee on Foods. J.A.M.A. 105, 599, 1935. 



