Pointing out blatant lies on one food package

In this video, I dismantle one-by-one the lies from Conagra on this single food product and use it as an example of how food companies do everything they can to keep you in the dark and trick you into thinking their products are healthier than they really are.

Lie #1: “No Preservatives”

The package clearly says “No preservatives” boldly on the package and they’re appealing to the crowd of Americans who understand that preservatives aren’t healthy, but who also don’t understand much about preservatives. Partially hydrogenated oil is listed twice on the label. Partially hydrogenated oil is absolutely a preservative as it’s used to make food last longer on shelves – that’s why companies use it. There is milk in this product, which is probably why the oil was needed. Partially Hydrogenated oil is an insidious chemical which is now officially banned by the FDA. You can read more about the harmful effects of partially hydrogenated oil and trans fat here. Or hear Tony talk about Partially Hydrogenated Oil in his TED Talk. 

Lying about partially hydrogenated oils on food packages in common place. According to a 2012 study published by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 84% of products with partially hydrogenated oils in them are labeled, “no trans fat.” Partially hydrogenated oil, very simply put, is trans fat, therefore 84% of products are lying. They get away with it by manipulating the serving size and rounding down.

There is also salt in the product and history books will tell us that salt is oldest preservative known to man. I called ConAgra and they said in a voicemail response to me, which I recorded,”

“You are correct, salt can be a preservative but it can also be a seasoning and we use the salt and the oils as seasonings.” – Conagra’s in a 2015 voicemail

I’ll let you be the judge of their explanation.

Lie #2: “Sugar Free”

We all know “sugar free” means there should be no sugar in the product. None. It’s “free” of sugar right?  When you look at the label, it says “adds an insignificant amount of sugar.” Wait a second, how can there be an insignificant amount of sugar in a sugar-free front product? I thought they said that it was sugar-free? These are contradictory statements, one has to be a lie and it’s the one that says, “sugar free.”