Connecticut AG Takes on Smart Choices Labeling Scheme

by Katherine Gustafson · 2009-10-20 06:00:00 UTC
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Readers of this blog will know by now that the "Smart Choices" campaign supposedly meant to identify better-for-you foods has made the idiotic decision to label sugary cereals like Froot Loops and Lucky Charms good eating decisions. The logic goes like this: at least a bowl of Froot Loops is better than a Cinnabon!

Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, bless his heart, is not so sure this is a good idea. The New York Times reports that last week he announced plans to investigate the matter. Imagine, a public official actually looking out for the public's best interest!

His Website is refreshingly confidence-inspiring: "As the public's lawyer," the caption beside a photo of the smiling Blumenthal reads, "I am here to . . . protect consumers."

He's trying to recruit other states' AGs to his cause and has apparently gotten some interest. States have teamed up in the past on deceptive-marketing cases, such as those concerning the cigarette and subprime lending industries.

Blumenthal has already written letters to General Mill's, Kellogg's and PepsiCo, food-industry heavy-hitters (heavy-biters?) that are participating in the program, expressing his concern that the labeling scheme is “overly simplistic, inaccurate and ultimately misleading.”

His investigation will aim to determine if the Smart Choices labeling campaign runs afoul of Connecticut's consumer protection law barring misleading or false product claims. Assertions that products such as Froot Loops are wise eating choices "seem very questionable," he told the Times. “We’re ratcheting up pressure for truthful answers to these issues.”

Think your AG should join in Mr. Blumenthal's effort? Click here to find out how to contact yours. And don't forget to sign our petition asking scientists to stop participating in this industry-funded farce.

Photo courtesy of Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, via flickr

Katherine Gustafson is a freelance writer and editor with a background in international nonprofit organizations.
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