In a survey published in January 2023, the UFC-Que Choisir association reveals that certain “light” products are not; many of them are even fattier or sweeter than their regular counterparts.
Products that are only lighter in name. The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir warns about the presence of salt, fat and other additives in products whose packaging claims the opposite. Quoted by Le Figaro Madamethe survey published in the January 2023 issue reveals that their low sugar content is compensated by the addition of other ingredientsharming the health of consumers.
Among the pinned products, there is in particular the Karéléa sugar-free chocolate bar from Léa Nature, which contains 47% more fat than a Lindt dark chocolate bar with a hint of fleur de sel. In La Boulangère organic sandwich bread “no added sugar”, +121% fat was found compared to its Carrefour counterpart: “Almost as many lipids as a chocolate Liègeois”, details the association. Also crushed by the survey, the start-up Funky Veggie (+42% fat in its filled cereals), which seeks to revisit breakfast products, justified itself in a report by France 2 : “There are 30% peanuts, but it’s good fat, it’s not oil”, defended the co-founder Adrien Decastille. However, to be consumed in moderation.
What’s next after this ad
Other ingredients added to offset the sugar
In addition to fat, salt and additives are also present in the products identified by UFC-Que Choisir. “Replacing 35g of organic Amora (mayonnaise) with 35g of Jardin Bio Etic saves 0.5% of the maximum recommended sugars each day… But adds 3% of the recommended salt thresholds”, indicates the association. Similarly, additives such as sucralose, acesulfame K or aspartame, suspected of being bad for the intestinal flora, are present in Auchan’s peach zero iced tea or Carrefour’s 0% mint syrup. Some products, such as fruit juices, cereal bars or vegetable milks, have no added sugar, but are already sweetened by their original ingredients.
…