Ocean Spray Disputes Assertions That New Cranberry Product Is Falsely Labeled

Ocean Spray, which introduced its Choice® dried cranberries in March 2009, has called “inaccurate” National Consumer League (NCL) allegations that the product is falsely labeled because it contains more sugar than cranberry. The NCL also reportedly contended that Choice® sweetened dried cranberries, which are sold to food manufacturers for use in baked products, trail mix, granola bars, and cereals, are made from cranberry skins. NCL apparently had the product tested and is concerned whether enough cranberry is being used to confer the fruit’s purported health benefits.

A company spokesperson was quoted as saying, “Our Choice product is made from Grade A superior frozen whole cranberries which are then sliced and sent through our patented process including infusion of sugar, citric acid and elderberry juice to infuse flavor and color specifically developed to meet our industrial consumers’ needs for their variety of recipes. Being made from whole cranberries, Choice retains many of the same healthful compounds.” See FoodNavigator-USA.com, November 20 and 23, 2009.