On the top and center of the "Ben and Jerry's" infamous pint of ice scream is a debatable little phrase; it says "all natural." The only problem is that, in my opinion, this is misleading because natural verses beneficial for the body are two different things. Another potential loophole for Ben and Jerry's is that "the Food and Drug Administration has no formal definition for natural." I believe that this is a very difficult term to define, and also the fact that Ben and Jerry's was trying to still use it is not ethical. After so many years of nutritional advancements, we can finally see the side effects of all of this lying.
If a company does lie, or imply one thing because it means another it is wrong. "Ben and Jerry's" claimed they were using all natural to remind the consumer that there are "no added color, additional flavors, or synthetic substances." However, if Ben and Jerry's meant this, then I feel they could have just put that on the label, instead of the misleading all natural.
I feel as though this will negatively affect "Ben and Jerry's" but also negatively affect the ice cream industry. FIrst off, if the ice cream is no longer natural, than why would a consumer feel the additional obligation to purchase it? This will probably affect the ice cream industry, because "Ben and Jerry's" is such a large part of the industry, that consumers will feel lied to, and betrayed and not able to get ice cream from any source. However, if the consumer is someone as in love with ice cream as myself, the would be able to eat it, knowing that it does in fact go straight to one's hips, and enjoy the flavors while they last.
Tuesday September 28, 2010 Edition of the Wall Street Journal
Article "Ice Scream Maker to Drop 'All Natural' From Labels"
Good post, but make sure it's within the industry. Though Ben and Jerry's does have some retail locations, its primary business is not included in this industry.
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