According to the Los Angeles times it’s not too early to start making predictions about the new year, at least not if you’re in the market research business.
Mintel, a company that tracks market and consumer trends, has made a dozen predictions about how food and other products may be packaged in 2011. The company predicts that the squishy term "natural" on food labels may receive more attention from federal regulators, Julie Deardorff reports in the Chicago Tribune’s blog Julie’s Health Club.
The Food and Drug Administration has remained somewhat silent on what "natural" means when it comes to food, except to say:
- "From a food science perspective, it is difficult to define a food product that is 'natural' because the food has probably been processed and is no longer the product of the earth. That said, FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances."
"Natural" aside, food labels with nutrition guides are the best way to know what's in a product. The FDA has a fine tutorial on the subject at "How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label."
"Natural "is a subjective term used often when patients describe their plastic surgery desires. Patients use it to describe the size of their breast implants, the look of their facelift, and the look of their rhinoplasty. The reality is everyone will never agree on what natural really looks like. Dr. O'Toole encourages patients to be descriptive with their desires by using medical before-and-after photos as a guide. Sarah, his patient coordinator is more than happy to help patients view several photos of Dr. O'Toole's before and after results. Clear communication between the surgeon and the patient helps to ensure that the patients desires and expectations are met.
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