Are you familiar with the marketing tactic of rebranding toxic ingredients so you don't recognize them on food labels? Here is one example. We know to watch out for aspartame in yogurt, vitamins, cereals, jams, chewing gums, soft drinks, and even toothpaste. But are you also on guard against AminoSweet? Ajinomoto, the producer of aspartame, strategically rebranded the product as AminoSweet to have a more natural persona. While the artificial sweetener is engineered from amino acids, it is far from natural.
And changing the name certainly doesn't change its side effects. While approved by the FDA for moderate consumption, studies show aspartame may cause dermatitis, mental stress, memory and learning challenges, long-term mood and behavior changes, increased risks of certain cancers, and a host of other problems (NIH, 2021). Changing the name of aspartame masks the ingredient from consumers, thereby unfairly compromising their health when they unknowingly consume it.
This isn't a new marketing strategy by any means, but it is becoming more blatant. You probably know that Splenda is often listed a sucralose, a term naturally confused with sucrose, especially if you are scanning a package quickly. While only a couple letters off, sucralose is an artificial sweetener. Your body responds to sucralose very differently than it does to natural sugar, or sucrose. Sucralose wreaks havoc on your gut microbiome and may stimulate inflammation, which we know is linked to obesity and diabetes (WebMD, 2023).
Misleading Alternative Names
Even without these word tricks. Chemical ingredient names can be confusing. Potassium bromate sounds like a nutrient. We know potassium is an essential mineral that keeps your body functioning. It keeps your heartbeat regular and helps your muscles and nerves perform tasks. But potassium bromate is actually a carcinogenic additive found in flours and baked goods.
Worse still, some manufacturers are no longer even printing all the information on the label at all. Instead, they are printing a QR code to scan for the complete ingredient list or to learn whether those ingredients are bioengineered. That extra step makes the information less readily accessible, particularly for less tech savvy consumers who might not know how to do it.
It really is important to stay aware of ingredient rebranding and label deception in order to protect your own health. Purchasing whole foods used to be the key to avoiding added ingredients. But with the dawn of Apeel or Organipeel, even fresh organic produce isn't foolproof anymore. Be sure to read all the stickers or labels in the product department, being particularly wary of anything that looks unnaturally shiny.
And don't be scared to ask questions. If you don't recognize an ingredient, do the research. You deserve to know what you are purchasing and consuming. Purchasing local from growers or butchers who can really answer those questions is ideal whenever possible.
For personalized nutrition counseling and lifestyle guidance, consider booking a phone consultation with Rose today. Learn more about Rose Boghos here.
Energy Matters, LLC.'s Renamed Watch List
What To Remember:When consumers avoid certain ingredients, marketers use sneaky tactics like name changes to keep selling their products. AminoSweet might sound healthier than aspartame, but it's the same thing. Don't be duped. Read labels and make careful food choices to protect your health and wellness. |
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"Any seeming deception in a statement is costly, not only in the expense of the advertising, but in the detrimental effect produced upon the customer."
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