Recently, I wrote about how ConAgra and its Wesson Oils division were facing a class action lawsuit because the company was claiming that its products were “all-natural” when, in fact, they contained genetically-modified ingredients, which are not “all-natural”.
This is an incredibly important case and could set a massive precedent in the food industry regarding GMOs.
Well, the good news continues.
A new class action lawsuit has been filed, this time against Kashi and its parent company Kellogg’s. The reason?
Kashi’s GoLean and TLC products are marketed as “all-natural” and state that they contain “nothing artificial” when, in fact, they are “composed almost entirely of synthetic and unnaturally processed ingredients”, so says the lawsuit.
But wait, it gets worse. MUCH WORSE.
The Kashi class action lawsuit alleges that some of these synthetic ingredients are even listed by the FDA as prescription drugs, irradiated substances, pesticides that are a by-product of uranium mining, and federally declared hazardous substances.
Here are just a few examples from the lawsuit of ingredients that have been included in Kashi’s products and claim to be “all natural” or contain “nothing artificial”:
- Phytonadione (Vitamin K) has not been listed by the FDA as generally recognized as safe as a food additive. Its injectible form is listed as a prescription drug.
- Bromelain is an enzyme derived from pineapple. According to the National Library of Medicine’s Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB), its production requires acetone, which is a hazardous synthetic substance.
- Sodium Molybdate has not been declared to be generally recognized as safe by the FDA. According to HSDB, molybdenum salts are by-products of uranium mining and can be found in fertilizers for leguminous crops, citing American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.
And these are only three examples.
The class action lawsuit against Kashi and Kellogg’s lists 14 claims including making false, deceptive and misleading representations and omissions, negligence and negligent representation, false advertising, and conspiracy.
WHY SIGNIFICANT FOR ORGANIC CONSUMERS?
A logical question that one may be asking right now is “Ok, they’re cracking down on ‘all-natural’ advertising but what does that have to do with organic?”
The answer is very simple.
Many consumers mistakenly believe that “natural” is superior to and healthier than “organic”. Yet, this is absolutely not the case.
If, however, as a result of these lawsuits, “natural” is no longer unfairly exploited and people soon realize that “natural” doesn’t really mean much at all, organic food can only benefit.
They will soon realize that the healthiest food available is organic food.
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My Take: I hope many more of these class action lawsuit pop up against the industrial food companies, and I have a very, very strong feeling that they will. Why?
Because the class action lawyers smell big money, defendants with deep pockets and cases that can be won.
At the end of the day, I don’t really care about the true motive of these class action lawyers because the general public is going to benefit tremendously and major food companies will think twice before attempting to deceive consumers.
These lawsuits make me shake my head and ask: Why isn’t our government, namely the FDA and USDA, protecting its own citizens?
Unfortunately, I already know the answer.
The FDA and USDA are so beholden and influenced by major food companies that they would never think about cracking down on them, even if it meant consumers would be safer.
This is just more evidence that each person needs to take responsibility and educate themselves about every single thing that they are putting into their bodies because our government is simply not doing enough.
To read the entire class action lawsuit, click HERE (PDF file).
This is great. At the very least, these kinds of lawsuits will raise consumer awareness. Thanks for your great posts.
Hi Randy,
Yes, I agree. If nothing else, I hope these lawsuits raise awareness but the mainstream media has to pick them up. So far, I haven’t seen much.
Talk soon!
Live well,
Max
Hello Max,
I am looking into this further and reaching to my colleagues
as well. Thank you for posting.
All the best,
stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Please let me know what your colleagues have to say. I am very interested to hear.
Also, does WF sell Kashi products?
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
Yes, I agree. Hope this kind of lawsuits will raise consumer awareness, hope many could read your article.
Thanks..
Hi Nahaia,
I sincerely hope it raises awareness as well. Thanks for your feedback.
Live well,
Max
I’ve been suspicious about their cereals for quite a while, so it was very interesting to read your post and the lawsuit. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Recently Coffee mate came out with an “all-natural” creamer. The last ingredient is “natural flavor”. I’m curious what this “natural flavor” is made of. Corn? Do you know? Thanks!
Hi Max,
Thanks for confirming why I stayed away from Kashi! Yes, WHF does sell their product and why I still read all labels when I shop there. Sounds like the major corps. are attempting a “naturalwashing” in order to sell their products the same that they have been greenwashing.
Hi Marilyn,
It is a very good question. I do not know why Whole Foods is selling Kashi products but is something that I will be looking into.
Thanks for your interest and support.
Live well,
Max
Hello Deliciously Organic,
“Natural Flavor” is one of those things that is very vague. Many flavors, which are derived “naturally” from foods are classified as such. Many are legitimate while others are suspect. Some natural flavors are just certified organic and therefore can’t be called anything other than natural.
I think you need to weigh two factors.
1) Is the product certified organic? If so, the amount of natural flavoring will be very, very small.
2) Is this a brand I trust.
If it is a Stonyfield product, I trust it.
If it is a Kashi product, I do not trust it.
Hope this helps.
Live well,
Max
This is some serious anti-science fearmongering, and sadly, far too many people who read it don’t have the basic knowledge to critique your fear-based commentary.
Injectable vitamin K is a prescription drug. Do you know what else is a prescription drug? Injectable vitamin C. Injectable caffeine (yes, it exists). Injectable chemotherapy. Hint: all injectable drugs require a prescription. You can buy a calcium supplement with added vitamins D and K (brand name: Viactiv) at most major drug stores.
Molybdenum is a necessary trace mineral that’s found in the soil. It’s a cofactor in DNA metabolism, and deficiencies have been linked to esophageal cancer. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-molybdenum-deficiency.htm
Acetone (your apparent problem with bromelain) is also a natural part of the human body’s metabolic processes. Anyone who’s done Atkins has purposefully generated acetone (one of the ketone bodies), and the human body can metabolize it. No, that doesn’t mean you should go out and drink a bottle of it, but in the trace amounts left from processing and extraction are well within the amount a healthy body can handle.
Let’s see if you approve this comment.
Hi Conni,
If you read my post correctly, which you apparently did not, it talks about the Kashi lawsuit and everything that it alleges. Not that “I” allege but that the lawsuit alleges.
While I am not a scientist and do not pretend to have the knowledge to counter your arguments that you made in your comment, there were many other “questionable” ingredients that the class actions lawyers point out in their suit.
I can say two things.
1) We will have to see how the lawsuit plays out. Class action lawyers work on contingency and unless they think they have a very strong case, they don’t take them on. Does that mean that they are always right and always win? No, but let’s wait and see.
2) There is a MAJOR problem with the use and abuse of the word “natural” in this country. Natural stands for nothing while organic has strict standards and enforcement. If class action lawsuits are the only way to crack down on the use of “natural” and inadvertently inform consumers that “organic” is superior to “natural”, then I am all for it.
Furthermore, anyone who doesn’t think that “natural” is an abused marketing term doesn’t have a shred of intellectual honesty.
There is no reason that I would not approve your comment. Simply because you have a different view than mine or you have a problem with what I have written about doesn’t mean that I won’t approve it.
In the future, please understand that comments may not get approved for up to 48 hours. Your complaining about me on Twitter for not approving your comment within 3 hours after posting it speaks volumes about you.
I try to get to them as fast as I can but sometimes it is not as fast as I, or readers, would like.
Lastly, I would love to know how reporting about a class action lawsuit is fear-mongering? Maybe you are the one who is afraid that the truth is going to come out.
Live well,
Max
This post is not about Kashi…Do you know where the fruit is grown that is used in Naked Juice smoothies?
Hi Lorna,
I have been asked this question before and I do not have an answer. Many people speculate that the fruit is coming from China but I cannot say for sure whether that is the case.
Live well,
Max
Hi Max,
I happened upon your website this evening, looks interesting.
Wondering if the Kashi case has gone to court yet and, if so, do you know the outcome?
Thanks!
Lori
Hi Lori,
I have not heard anything from the lawyer who filed the class action lawsuit against Kashi.
I am in contact with her every so often, so my guess is that there is no new news. These things generally take several years to sort themselves out.
A big corporation who is guilty is not going to admit guilt until far into the process.
As soon as I hear something noteworthy, I will definitely let everyone know.
Thanks.
Live well,
Max