A court in Germany has ordered the makers of Nutella to change its printed labels in order to stop misleading consumers.
Shoppers have recently been exposed to a marketing campaign claiming that Nutella is a healthy snack because it contains an array of vitamins and minerals.
However, consumer groups pointed out the fat and carbohydrate levels on the nutritional breakdown are measured per 15-gram portion, while vitamin and mineral content is calculated per 100-gram portion.
Consequently, to get the beneficial nutrients, consumers would have to eat a quarter of a jar in one sitting, but also expose themselves to high levels of fat and sugar.
The German court upheld the complaints and said the advertising creates a "relevant deceit" for shoppers who may not have time to read and double-check peelable labels.
Manufacturer Ferraro said it will change them by the end of the year.
Companies may need to beware of misleading labels, as Food Navigator reports this week that a woman in California has launched legal action against a flour company that claimed to use all-natural ingredients wile allegedly including some synthetics.
Denny Bros Ltd, 22 November 2011
