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Can you read the Diet Coke Plus labels?

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Phil Posted: Fri, Dec 26 2008 9:41 AM

The FDA is going after Diet Coke Plus (Diet Coke with Vitamins and Minerals"):

From the article: "According to the agency, foods labeled 'plus' must have at least 10 percent more nutrients than comparable products. The FDA also said it is inappropriate to add extra nutrients to 'snack foods.'"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,473069,00.html

This raises two separate issues:  1. The "Plus" label; and 2. the inclusion of extra nutrients in "snack foods".  As for 1, the FDA's concern is helpful for people who can read "plus" but are too stupid/lazy to read the rest of the label. Sadly, I think the FDA makes people too lazy to read the labels... in other words, people have actually stopped caring what they drink!  Regardless, I like to think I can decide for myself what's "plus" enough to warrant a "Plus" label.

As for 2, what's the problem with nutrients in snack foods?  Again, the FDA presumes people are too stupid to figure out for themselves whether the extra nutrients justify consuming snack foods instead of healthy foods.  They also ignore the obvious:  The people most likely to drink this already drink soda and are merely "upgrading" to soda with extra vitamins. 

Conclusion:  I can read labels and decide what to drink on my own.  I'd welcome any thoughts on the subject!  Thanks.

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Philip Miles:

The FDA also said it is inappropriate to add extra nutrients to 'snack foods.'"

This is the most absurd part of the whole situation. Doesn't the FDA wanted us to be more healthy? Maybe not - maybe they just want control and this takes away some of their control.

I am an eklektarchist not an anarchist.

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