Saturday, May 5, 2012

The Truth Behind Nutella


Consumers are being misled by the Nutella television ads that use words like “healthy” and “nutritious” to describe the product.

 The makers of the popular hazelnut-flavoured spread have agreed to a $3-million settlement to end four class-action suits filed in the United States that claimed that Nutella engaged in misleading marketing to portray its product as a healthy part of breakfast. 1


Nutella contains mainly sugar and modified palm oil and consists of little protein.  The court hearings will begin in California and New Jersey in July. 

Nutella contains over 55 per cent processed sugar, the consumption of which has been shown to cuase type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems.  Indeed, the serving size, 2 tablespoons, contains 200, 11 grams of fat – 3.5 of which are saturated fat (18 per cent of your daily recommended value) – and 21 grams of sugar. 1


1.      Thanh Ha, Tu. (2012, April 27). Nutella backs off 'balanced breakfast' claims after hit with $3-million lawsuit . The Globe and Mail.