Fill your food labels with straight talk, not spin

Misconceptions over the health content of certain foods happen, and this makes it all the more important for food labels to be clear and precise in pointing out proper ingredients. The Center for Science in the Public Interest created a list of what it considers the best and worst foods available on the market. While the whole foods listed as most desirable were perhaps obvious—sweet potatoes topped the list, with broccoli, kale and butternut squash behind it—the other side contained several well-known brand names.

A Chipotle burrito, for example, was listed as containing as much fat “as three 6-inch Subway BLT Classic Subs.” Even when these values are made available, it’s doubtful that customers understand the real impact they could have on their health.

Another study undertaken by the same group recently brought the same scrutiny to restaurant meals, and reportedly found that a fried fish platter offered by Long John Silver’s was the country’s “worst meal,” with more than 15 times the amount of trans fats recommended by the American Heart Association, according to Reuters. The source also said that CSPI may attempt to force this restaurant chain to make its food healthier in a legal manner.

What this means for responsible companies is that consumers are sensitive to food labels, and misleading information could be ferreted out later in a damaging way. It’s better for businesses to take responsibility by learning how to make labels honest, outward facing and patron-friendly. After all, no one wants to find out they’ve just accidentally eaten the equivalent of three sandwiches.