Tag Archives: natural

Cane sugar is now “natural sugar” in Dr. Pepper and Mountain Dew.  Canada Dry Ginger Ale is made with real ginger.  Almost every salty snack brand offers a reduced-sodium sea salt variety.  Truffle oil french fries are practically everywhere.   McDonald’s Angus Burgers and Snack Wraps are performing beyond expectations.

The use of “natural sugar” and real ginger in soda serves to make the product seem more natural, less synthetic.  In a way, those special ingredients act as a halo for the entire product, serving to distract from the host of ingredients that are distinctly unnatural.

Sea salt is called out in a host of different products, from soup to chips.  In almost every situation, it’s linked to the benefit of sodium reduction, which makes the product seem healthier, even if it’s deep-fried.  It’s usually identified as natural and even perceived as gourmet, thanks to celebrity chef usage.  Sea salt has a halo effect on foods that might otherwise be considered ordinary or less-than-healthy.

While french fries will never be perceived as healthy, adding truffle oil to them certainly makes them gourmet and therefore, special.  Read more...