Sponsored: Clean foods

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: Clean foods

Question: What does it mean when a product is advertised as "clean"?

Answer: There is no regulated or legal definition for the use of "clean" when it comes to the marketing of food items. While we all want to make sure the foods and beverages we buy and consume are safe to eat and are clean (i.e. free from dirt or contamination); the use of the word "clean" on everything from wine to snack items has taken on quite a different tone. Depending on the product ( or the marketing company) it may mean:

• it is organic ( which does have a legal meaning by the USDA)

• it has a limited list of ingredients

• it has no artificial ingredients

• it was minimally processed

Related Items

...or it may mean none of those things!

Bottom Line: Because the word "clean" has no legal or regulated meaning in foods or beverages; brands may use the word "clean" when marketing products without really explaining or defining what it means. This may be done to give products an undeserved "health halo" i.e. you think the product is better for you than it actually is.

As a shopper don't be influenced by words and claims on the front of the package -- read the ingredients and check the Nutrition Facts panel for yourself.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

Tags:

SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM

Contribute >

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Dinner — Something for Everyone?

Whether it’s a family gathering or a co-worker get together, what kind of meal can you make that will please everyone?

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Stories of dining during a disaster

Hurricane Helene was and continues to be a traumatic event for our region, but even within the worst of it, there are stories of resilience and ingenuity in ways that many had to deal with making or getting meals while having no power or water for days.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Ways to (Continue to) Help Western NC

There are many churches and community relief and service organizations that are and will continue to help in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Please make sure you check on what local area churches may be doing or need in terms of donations. Money is often the best thing to donate so they can buy what they need. Volunteer time is also often appreciated.

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Partner content: Post Hurricane

It is difficult to know what to write after a disaster of the magnitude caused by Hurricane Helene. It certainly teaches us the importance of coming together as a community to check on and help our friends and neighbors, and how vital our emergency response teams, first responders, National Guard, churches, shelters for both humans and animals, and relief organizations are in times like this.