This Cheerios Ad Made Me Cry.

I have to admit that I totally missed the controversy about the recent Cheerios ad.  I also missed the fact that it featured a biracial couple despite having seen it many times.  I guess that’s what happens when you spend your life in Manhattan where you can hear 12 different languages being spoken when you walk down the street, and couples of every conceivable combination are easily observed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYofm5d5Xdw

But this new ad, made me cry.  How about you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSNAdo9Czns

Isn’t it about time that all health claims were properly substantiated?

5/18/09

Although the FDA has been monitoring drug company claims for their products for years, there has been a huge gaping hole, when it comes to supplements and foods.

Not only have companies been able to get away without properly substantiating their claims, they have been getting away with outrageous disclaimers in support of them. Listen closely or look at the small type and you will see that Product X will help you lose weight when “taken in conjunction with a calorie restricted diet and moderate exercise”. Duh. If you eat less and exercise more you will lose weight regardless of what supplements or specific foods you eat.

While Cheerios seems relatively benign, they are still making a very hard claim – “eat Cheerios and lower your cholesterol 4% in 6 weeks” backed by a similar disclaimer. Their defense? We’ve been communicating this message for two years. Well, just because the ethically-challenged Bush administration was willing to go along with it, doesn’t mean that it was the right thing to do.

I think its time for the truth. What do you think?

(2009, May 12). FDA warns General Mills over Cheerios cholesterol claims. latimes. com. Retrived, May 17, 2009 from
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/shopping_blog/2009/05/fda-warns-general-mills-over-cheerios-cholesterol-claims.html

Here’s an opposing point-of-view

York, E. & Thomaselli, R. (2009, May 13) With Cheerios, has the FDA bitten off more than it could chew? adage.com. Retrived, May 18, 2009
http://adage.com/article?article_id=136636