WTF? PepsiCo Rebrands ‘Natural’ GMO Products as ‘Simply’

In what appears as an attempt to circumnavigate all of the problems companies are facing with the labeling of their not-so-natural (i.e. GMO-packed products) as “natural,” PepsiCo has nixed the word “natural” on many of its products, going instead with “simply.”

The “Simply Natural” line of Frito-Lay chips is now just “Simply” and “Natural Quaker Granola” is now “Simply Quaker Granola.”

According to a report via Nwi.com, “The food and beverage giant says the name changes, which took place last year, are the result of it updating its marketing. But they come at a time when PepsiCo and other companies face legal challenges over their use of the word ‘natural.’”

If you’re not already aware, “natural” means very little at all. The FDA hardly has a definition of it, and companies from PepsiCO to General Mills have been under legal heat over its use on products – especially those products made with GMO ingredients.

And the word “simply” isn’t free from scrutiny.

According to Nwi.com, “Although it didn’t file a lawsuit, the Center for Science in the Public Interest met with General Mills in 2010 over labeling on a variety of the company’s products. Among those singled out was ‘Simply Fruit,’which the group noted contained canola oil and carrot juice — not just fruit.”

General Mills’ response to a question if the “simply” term could be misleading to consumers? General Mills spokesman Mike Siemienas said via Nwi.com, “Yes, we do have a response: It isn’t.”

To us, this looks like yet another attempt by Big Food to dress up a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If these companies aren’t changing their unnatural ingredient lists, full of additives, preservatives, and GMO parts, then “simply” could have the very same impact that “natural” does. It’s just a quick way for companies to avoid the mess currently surrounding the “natural” term – until, that is, the controversy heats up around “simply.”

We have a “simply” “natural” idea for all of you Green Monsters: avoid anything labeled with these terms and instead opt for organically-sourced foods and ingredients!

Image source: Glane 23  / Wikimedia