Be very critical of food advertising

Advertising claims of the Monsterbacke Fruchtquark from Ehrmann land in front of the Federal Court of Justice

07/15/2012

The advertising slogans about the fruit quark „monsterbacke“ The manufacturer Ehrmann will soon be the subject of a judgment before the Federal Court. Consumer advocates accuse the food company consumer deception. In advertising statement would be stressed again and again, the fruit quark is „as important as the daily glass of milk“. However, according to the applicants, that is misleading and incorrect.

Three times more sugar than milk
Many food companies advertise boldly with the alleged „healthy ingredients“ their products. Once the product is „As important as the daily glass of milk“ or the milk bar contains only „the best of the milk“. „Consumers should not be fooled by such promises“ warns Hartmut König from the consumer protection portal „Lebensmittelklarheit.de“. Because food must be „not be approved or approved in any way. In principle, the provider can write what he wants“, so king. That's why it's so important to look carefully. In principle, consumers should critically scrutinize every food product, „especially if the manufacturer advertises the topic of health“.

On Thursday, the Federal Court in Karlsruhe on the advertising slogan „As important as the daily glass of milk“ to negotiate. The company Ehrmann had just that saying for his product „monsterbacke“ advertised. On the other hand, experts turned to the „Center for the fight against unfair competition“. The advertising slogan leads consumers astray because of the advertised fruit quark „containing about three times more sugar than a glass of milk“. The lawyer of the plaintiff sees here no advantage, but a disadvantage, especially for children. The higher sugar content is one „considerable disadvantage especially in the diet of children“, stressed the lawyer.

Long list of ingredients Indicator for artificial additives
King advises consumers to buy better fresh produce. For finished products, shoppers should study the ingredient list. Because the longer this is for a packaged product, „the more critical one should handle it“, emphasizes the food expert. Because usually is a long list of ingredients „an indication of numerous flavors and additives“. „There are many companies that advertise with milk to suggest that their product is very healthy“. For a long time, consumer advocates criticize this type of manipulation. But not all corporations can be sued at once. Only in individual cases can be achieved by a lawsuit and a ban on false promises.

The food manufacturer Ehrmann defends itself against the accusations. Finally, consumers would know that the fruit quark offered contains more sugar than an unprocessed cottage cheese without fruit. Finally, fruits also contain sugar in the form of fructose.

The Federal Court wants to take its time with its final decision. The judges will now check if the advertisement of Ehrmann „unfair“ or „misleading“ Contain material. A BGH judgment is expected on 20 September. (Sb)

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