The California mom alleges in her legal complaint that she fed her 4-year-old daughter Nutella after seeing ads that represented the spread as "nutritious" or a "healthy breakfast."
Nutella lists nutritional information on their website. They don't, though, list the ingredients. If you look at the back of a jar, the first ingredient listed is sugar. The second ingredient is vegetable oil.
This isn't the first suit that Nutella has faced. In the UK in 2008 they were sued when the petitioners said Ferrero's advertisements portrayed Nutella as a healthy part of a balanced breakfast. U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority said, "We considered that the ad misleadingly implied the spread made a more significant nutritional contribution to a balanced breakfast than was the case." The Nutella ad claiming that it was good for children's breakfast was banned in the UK in 2008..
Thoughts?
I think that lady who sued is a perfect example of showing that a lot of people in today's society are "sue happy"! I do not think there was anything deceptive about the ad. I think the ad shows all nutrition facts necessary for one to make good judgment, esp for parents! I think the only argument that California mother has is that the label says to start your day with their product. But it doesn’t say to start your day right with their product nor does it suggest is to be a healthier alternative to anything else! Ryan H.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is deceptive for Nutella to advertise that they are a "healthy" source for breakfast. However, I do not think that the lawsuit is legitimate because they do print the ingredients. I think through bad press, Nutella will lose sales and at this point it is a matter of allowing the public to know that the advertisements are untrue. As a consumer, it is their responsibility to "read the fine print" before purchasing an item.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with both ryan and christie, on both notes that the mother is being sue happy and that the lawsuit is not legit. The mother is just trying to make a quick buck because that is what our society is trying to do nowadays. Yes, Nutella may have sugar and all those items that people claim as bad, but some do not. It is definitely a healthier alternative compared to many other things out on the market. Also, the mother did fall for the marketing and advertising that Nutella was most likely trying to portray. It worked and convinced the mother to buy Nutella.
ReplyDeleteA breakfast with Nutella is healthier than no breakfast at all, which is what our busy society is turning to these days. Although it may not be the best option, it is an easy way to get something into your stomach in the morning.
ReplyDeleteI think that the advertising is somewhat deceptive, because they are saying that a piece of toast with Nutella along with a glass of orange juice and milk is a balanced breakfast. I have a jar at home, and when I read that I laughed. On the other hand, if you stop to think about it, the hazelnut spread tastes more like a dessert and you could tell it's not that healthy. The advertising was kind of deceptive, but I don't think it was a big enough issue for the mom to sue Nutella. Whether she wants to blame it on the advertising or her lack of nutritional knowledge, it was taken a little too far.
ReplyDeleteI believe the advertisement may have been deceptive, but it is the mother's responsibility to feed her child nutritionally. Just because the Nutella was advertised as "healthy" does not mean that the mother should not read the ingredients. Because the first two ingredients are sugar and vegetable oil and clearly labelled on the jar. I think that the case is ridiculous, and that the fault should be placed entirely on the mother because it is her job to know what she is feeding her child is healthy. Bottom line, Nutella is a chocolate spread, and it would be crazy if they were blamed in this lawsuit.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kelsi. The bottom line is that it's the mother's responsibility to look closely to the nutritional information on the food she feeds her child. I don't see these ads as having enough substance so worthy of this outcome. Maybe Nutella should put more emphasis in its ads with the following:
ReplyDeleteA quick and easy way to encourage your kids to eat whole grains and other undesirable/healthy foods :)
I definitely think that it is unfair to the consumers to advertise that something is "healthy" when it isn't. On the other hand, I do find if a little ridiculous for someone to sue them for that reason. I feel as if a lot of consumers will sue a large corporation hoping for some sort of monetary compensation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Scott and Kelsey that there is some individual responsibility that needs to be taken into account here. Although the ingredients are not online, they are listed clearly on the label. Particularly as a mother, and individual needs to be informed enough to check the product out before feeding it to a child. It's kind of like the argument that offering a cheeseburger as a dinner option is what makes people overweight/obese. It won't, but eating one every night might. Often, it comes down to individual decision-making.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I also agree with everyone who says it's unfair that they even advertise as a healthy breakfast option, I don't think they are the only company with this issue. How many times have you seen a commercial featuring some excessively sugary cereal that tags on "Part of a balanced breakfast!". Great if you eat it with other healthy options, but there are definitely more nutritious things out there to eat every morning than Cookie Crisp (not that it isn't delicious). If we're going to address Nutella's false advertising in this department, it's going to have to be made a broader issue.
I enjoy reading everyone's insight on this topic because I am currently writing an article for the Vista on it for next week's issue! I believe that the advertising is a bit deceptive, but Nutella does have some credibility, claiming that their tasty spread is a way to encourage kids to eat whole grains (aka on toast). Despite the deceptive advertising, it doesn't take much to turn the jar around and read the nutritional facts label. In one serving, half of the calories come from fat!
ReplyDeleteMany companies have deceptive advertising... It is the way they mess with the "guidelines" of marketing. In this case Im not sure that I agree so much. Though Nutella advertised that this product was "healthy" for breakfast this can be true in some cases. If the parents were feeding their children pop tarts or waffles for breakfast, as so many parents do, then yes, Nutella would be a healthier alternative to those items. The company clearly provided nutritional facts and ingredients on their packaging, so in this case I believe it is up to the consumer to inform themselves more thouroly about what they are feeding their children.
ReplyDelete