Watchdog group: 'Health' claims overstated

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Many food companies make "healthy" language claims on their products that are unfounded, a U.S. nutrition watchdog group said.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington said the healthy food claims are often misleading, and are popping up all over the grocery store.

The non-profit group has compiled a list of what it called the most egregious rip-offs, including:

-- Special K Fruit and Yogurt cereal says it "combines the crunch of whole grain goodness, the smooth creaminess of yogurt and the sweet taste of berries," yet the label says it does not contain berries or real yogurt, and barely any whole wheat.

-- The package for Gerber Graduates for Toddlers Juice Treats is decorated with pictures of fruit, but the only fruit-like ingredient, listed after corn syrup and sugar, is white grape juice concentrate.

-- A serving of Multigrain Tostitos has more sugar than any of its "four wholesome grains."

"These days, companies will say just about anything to give their product a 'health halo,'" Bonnie Liebman, CSPI’s nutrition director, said in a statement. "Consumers need to know how to read the labels to get the whole story -- and even then it’s not always clear."