Ethics in marketing is an interesting topic. Companies have to find a way to convince consumers to buy their product, as nobody wants to buy run-off-the-mill products. Within legal bounds, these firms are able to mislead their customers, as claims of “natural” or “healthy” products are loosely regulated at best.

Source: http://www.myfriendinfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Maple-Leaf-Natural-Selection-Baked-Ham-438×218.jpg

Firms are allowed to market their products as “0 grams of trans fat” as long as they contain less than half a gram of trans fats per serving. Keeping in mind that many packages contain multiple servings, consumers are unwittingly consuming a lot more trans fats than they bargained for

It is almost tongue-in-cheek when a company dares to market pizza pockets as a healthy option. McCain Foods claims its new Pizza Pockets are made with “wholesome ingredients that contain no artificial colours or flavours”, conveniently leaving out the fact that one Pizza Pocket contains more fat than a Boston cream doughnut and more sodium than a large serving of French fries.

Source: http://i-store.walmart.ca/images/WMTCNPE/705/426/705426_Large_1.jpeg

Business is business, and one can’t blame these firms for taking advantage of the loose regulations on marketing claims. The very nature of the environment they compete in forces these firms to exploit every loophole they can find. It falls to the regulatory bodies like the FDA to enforce evidence-based claims.

Source: http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/sites/nutritionaloutlook.com/files/imagecache/Image_Default/images/Biothera_0.jpg

Otherwise, companies can easily continue to mislead their customers into thinking that they are paying for value that is only a technicality. Of course, a packet of Praeventia cookies a day keeps the doctor away, right?