The ban applies to foods with the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, as well as to the 6-fatty acid ARA. As of May 11, it is prohibited to use certain claims that fatty acids have an effect on children’s development and health. Among other things, it is about a company not being allowed to claim that fatty acids have a positive effect on children’s ability to concentrate and learn. The question is how confusing people can get when one sees that and the other says it’s not true. How does it affect our or people’s trust?
When people are faced with conflicting information—such as when companies promote omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as beneficial to children’s development, while authorities prohibit such claims—it can lead to confusion and mistrust. This discrepancy between what is said and what is allowed to be said affects people’s trust in several ways.
First, it can reduce trust in companies that are perceived to exaggerate or misrepresent the products’ benefits. If consumers feel they have been misled, this can lead to a general skepticism of marketing claims, not only for these products but for others as well.
Second, it can affect trust in authorities and regulatory bodies. If people do not understand the basis for the ban or feel that there is a lack of clear communication about why certain claims are not allowed, it can lead to distrust of the institutions that are supposed to protect the interests of consumers.
To manage this confusion, transparency and clear communication from both sides is important. Authorities should clearly communicate the reasons behind their decisions, including what scientific evidence supports them. For their part, companies should ensure that their marketing is in line with current legislation and based on robust scientific research.
In summary, conflicting information can undermine people’s trust in both companies and authorities. Through open dialogue and responsible communication, confusion can be reduced and public confidence strengthened.
Regarding the problems of marketing and health claims, and how these can be effectively dealt with, several measures can improve the situation:
- Stricter legislation: Laws and regulations should be constantly updated to reflect new scientific research and changing marketing practices. This includes stricter requirements for evidence and scientific basis for health claims before they can be used in marketing.
- Improved supervision: Authorities such as the Swedish Consumer Agency and the Swedish Food Agency should have the resources to monitor the market effectively. This includes frequent reviews of products and claims and the ability to intervene quickly when misleading information is discovered.
- Increased Transparency: Companies should be encouraged or forced to be more transparent about how their products’ health claims are supported by research. This may include requirements to publish scientific studies or data that support claims.
- Education of consumers: Through information campaigns and educational initiatives, consumers can become more aware of how to interpret health claims and advertising. This strengthens their ability to make informed decisions based on critical thinking and scientific understanding.
- Collaboration between sectors: Authorities, companies, and consumer organizations should collaborate more closely to share information and best practices. This type of collaboration can help raise the standards of acceptable marketing.
- Reporting System: A robust system where consumers can report suspected misleading marketing can help regulators quickly identify and address problems.
By taking these steps, society can reduce the risk of misleading marketing and strengthen consumer confidence and security.
Amalshalsblogg.com 