By using flavoring agents many fruits get upgraded to a supposedly higher grade fruit. In this way manufacturers benefit from saving money on their purchases, but consumers are being deceived when, for example, cranberries are transformed into cherries or strawberries by using flavoring agents and sugar. Morever, fruit slurry is produced in part by using smaller pieces of fruit. As with meat slurry, fruit purées are combined together, colored and flavored.

Consumer Central Hamburg

Several smoothie and fruit slice manufacturers generate false illusions on the packaging of their products by overrepresenting the more expensive fruits instead. But if you take a look at the small print on the list of ingredients, it’s evident that this fruit often plays a less important role in terms of quantity.

If you scan one of products that have been exposed by the Consumer Central in Hamburg (German), barcoo notifies you and, if applicable, gives you a warning.

Who doesn’t prefer the taste of real, natural fruits to their artificial flavorings? As consumers, our interests are naturally different from those of the producers: when 100 kilograms of raspberry yogurt is produced with artificial flavoring, it costs six cents, while producing the same quantity with real raspberries costs about 30 euros. We aren’t trying to discredit anybody, but we want to point out what’s good.

Experts of the Consumer Advice Center in Hamburg performed a series of foodstuff analyses and has released a list of approved foods that don’t contain artificial flavoring. Since we at barcoo think this information is valuable, we’ve gone and integrated it into our database. Our rationale? Because consuming too much artificial flavoring has the following drawbacks:

Obesity: artificial flavoring stimulates the need to eat more.

Standardized flavors: many foodstuffs are over-flavored, which effects the our sense of taste. Unadulterated, natural flavors no longer taste good to children.

A lack of beneficial ingredients: when we consume artificial flavorings instead of actual fruits, we miss out on lots of vitamins and minerals.

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This article is only relevant for German readers. It’s about those Clean Labels on food products and that it might mean less transparency often. barcoo in Germany integrated some analysis from one consumer protection organisation.