Pellau Magazine: 9 foods that aren't what they seem

When is a strawberry really an artificially flavored bit of dried apple? Unfortunately, consumers often can't rely on what the packaging suggests.

Are you interested in eating healthy? Click here to see more By Jonathan Berr, MSN Money

Food for thought

Packaged-food companies are able to claim something has strawberries in it even when it instead has chemicals that mimic a strawberry flavor -- not the actual fruit itself. They can even show a picture of a strawberry. Confused? So are many people, which concerns the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

The Washington watchdog has fought for tougher food label regulations for years.

"You have to be especially suspicious of everything on the front of the food label," according to Michael Jacobson, CSPI's executive director. It's better to look at the side of the box, which displays the nutrition labels, he added.

The CSPI provided MSN with a list of food products that it says make deceptive claims.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents companies such as Kellogg (K) and General Mills (GIS), sees things differently, of course. Fruit images on a food label are permitted under federal regulations, the association said, and fruits are sometimes added as serving suggestions.

General Mills' Strawberry Sensation Fruit Roll-Ups

Though the product has the word "strawberry" in its name, the berry is nowhere to be found on its ingredient list. There are pears and malic acid, which is derived from apples, ingredients Jacobsen notes are far cheaper than strawberries. General Mills (GIS) agreed to take a strawberry picture off the label after CSPI complained.

"We disagree with CSPI on the merit and substance of the case, but we both agreed to resolve the matter to avoid further litigation," according to a company statement.

Kellogg's Special K Fruit & Yogurt Cereal

The company brags on its website about "the tastes of delicious fruit and yogurt in this cereal." As CSPI notes, that's a stretch. According to the product's label, the cereal contains less than 2% of a host of products, including dried apples. Again, there are strawberries on the label that aren't in the cereal. Kellogg(K), for its part, denies doing anything wrong.

"These products include dried, pureed or flaked fruit, or fruit puree concentrate," the company said. "The term 'fruit' is also used to describe the flavor of some products."

Dannon Danimals Straw-Banana-Rama Double Crush Cup Yogurt

The front of the label shows a cartoon monkey grasping at fruit. A different story emerges on the back: There are no strawberries or bananas on the ingredient list. The fruit and vegetable juices in the product are there for color. Dannon denies trying to mislead anyone.

"Many kids prefer yogurt without fruit pieces, and we show fruit on the label so people can clearly identify the flavor they are buying," the company said in a statement.

Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats Touch of Fruit Mixed Berry Cereal

The touch of fruit in the middle here is barely a tickle.

According to the ingredients list, the product contains less than 2% total of apple flakes, blueberry flakes, grape flakes and strawberry flakes.

Kellogg (K) says its food labels comply with regulations.

Lance Whole Grain Crackers

This is a case where there is less than meets the eye. The product has more white flour and vegetable oil than whole-wheat flour. A caramel coloring is added to the crackers to make them look more like whole-wheat crackers.

Snyder's Lance, the company that makes the snack, tells MSN that it has recently made improvements to the product, based on consumer feedback. It is increasing the amount of whole grains to 51%. The amount of whole grains per serving will rise to 11 grams from 9 grams. The new crackers will hit store shelves in the next few months, the company added.

Glacéau Vitaminwater, Kiwi-Strawberry flavor

The nutritional information for this product comes with an asterisk, noting "flavored + other natural flavors." There are no strawberries or kiwis in the product. For most people, water straight out the tap is fine.

CSPI has filed suit against Glacéau Vitaminwater, which is made by Coca-Cola (KO), for making deceptive claims on its labels. A Coca-Cola representative declined to comment.

Kellogg's Eggo Blueberry Waffles

Blueberries, prominently displayed on the product's front, are not so visible on the ingredient list, where they rank seventh and account for less than 2% of the product. Kellogg (K) denies it's doing anything wrong.

Welch's 100% Grape Juice With Fiber

The product touts fiber from maltodextrin, a starchlike carbohydrate that resists digestion. According to CSPI, there's no good evidence that it has the same type of benefit as fiber found naturally in food. Welch's sees things differently.

"All forms of fiber, both naturally occurring fiber and fiber added to foods, can play a role in a healthy diet," the company says. "Research supports that this ingredient (maltodextrin) helps support a healthy digestive system."

General Mills Lucky Charms

The iconic cereal, stamped with the words "whole grain" on its front, is also loaded with 10 grams of sugar.Though an eater may be addressing one nutritional issue, he or she may be creating another, according to CSPI. General Mills (GIS), of course, sees things differently.

"Lucky Charms has 11 grams of whole grain per serving," the company said. "Cereal is one of the healthiest breakfast choices you can make, and less than 5% of sugar in kids' diets comes from presweetened cereal."

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