[ See updates! Bravo Ferrero! ] The problem with this ad is that a solid fat, namely palm oil, is a major ingredient in Nutella, and this ad says it's NOT in Nutella at all.
This makes about as much sense as labeling GE food non-GMO food - that is, it makes no sense at all.
Although there is much dispute as to the harmfulness of saturated fats, much like with genetically engineered crops, there is stillª a strong mainstream medical consensus that the former are dangerous* and the latter are safe**, while large and increasing numbers of consumers believe the opposite.
*See [ Ссылка ] (Update 2: Info factually dated and removed; because of increasing evidence that saturated fats are not nearly as bad for human health as thought, the scientific consensus has shifted a lot since I posted this critique in 2011, and the mainstream medical consensus is (much more slowly) shifting too. Page taken down (removed by gov't) in mid-2015 but available at archive.org and [ Ссылка ] ) and [ Ссылка ] (Still up in 2020, but dated!)
FYI: The solid fats "palm kernel oil" and "coconut oil" are very similar-they are mainly combinations of the exact same fat molecules, in roughly the same proportions. Palm oil is quite different.
On a jar of Nutella. Palm oil appears where in the Ingredient List? Third? (Law requires the ingredients be listed in order, by proportion.)
I recorded this ad, which ran near end of Blue Bloods - Black and Blue on 28 Oct 2011, 10-11 PM. The upload is of the broadcast stream in its native format.
The Nutella website and facebook page - [ Ссылка ] are similarly deceptive.
"palm oil" appears nowhere on the facebook pages, but right up top is this:
"Description
The unique taste of Nutella® hazelnut spread continues to come from the combination of roasted hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa. In addition, Nutella® has no artificial colors or preservatives."
Oh, and obviously, this video is allowed under law because it's being used for criticism, a vital public interest.
Update 1: (c.a. 2015) The website has been improving - it's still misleading but - until recently, it was much more blatantly deceptive - see [ Ссылка ] - older versions have no mention of palm oil at all!
ªUpdate 3: (years later:July 2020) The website has been improving even more - sure, it's great marketing and puts a positive spin on things but it does so with statements of substance, so I don't think it is fair to say it's misleading any more!
Now, it has depictions of, and with quite some justification, proudly displays the full list of seven ingredients prominently in the same order in which it appears on a jar of Nutella (Law requires the ingredients be listed in order, by proportion.) Palm oil appears second in the Ingredient List. There's a page on each ingredient, with per-ingredient info on certification and awards re traceability, sustainable sourcing, etc. The awards won for their achievements in responsibly sourcing palm oil are particularly substantial. And they recognize and are working on improvements.
IMPORTANT: I see, thanks to the comments from Jewel Bloemen, Mooningstarsz Realm and *violently sips tea* that this page is being used for some online classes. I'm delighted and would like more info. Who's using it, for what class(es)? As in, are they on nutrition, marketing, law, what, and where? Please post here. I think you can message me too, if you prefer.
I've archived the original description; if anyone needs it, contact me.
