Editing Perception management (section)

== Food and nutrition ==
Food and beverage manufacturers can manage the perceptions of consumers by controlling information on food labels. The [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) requires a label on most food sold in grocery stores.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guidance for industry: a food labeling guide|date=October 2009|publisher=U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]]|access-date= November 17, 2011|url= https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111128093639/http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/|url-status= dead|archive-date= November 28, 2011}}</ref> However, the FDA does not regulate [[dietary supplement]]s. Many [[chain restaurant]]s also try to make their food appear to be healthier but serve too large of a portion. [[Fast food restaurant]]s use advertising to make their food appear healthier when they have not changed anything about it either. Consumers have to consider where their health and nutrition information is coming from. When one gets nutrition information from the media, one is getting it from the [[food industry]] and companies that could benefit from customers purchasing their products.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} On labels and packaging there are many different perception management techniques they use.

Here are some deceptive practices:
* Distribute [[sugar]] amounts among many ingredients
* Include "[[health claim|healthy]]" ingredients to make it appear to be healthy
* Use scientific names of ingredients to mask their [[nutritional value]]
* Use advertising or [[catch phrase]]s to sell their product
* Not including contaminants (heavy metal, toxic substances)
* Using phrases like "[[downplaying|zero]] grams of [[trans fat]]" because there is less than one gram in the serving size. This means there can be more than a gram of trans fat in the product though.
* Saying that a product is "packed in fiber" when that fiber may not be whole grain fiber. That means the fiber is coming from a less nutritious or healthy source.
* Using doctor recommendations or seals of approval on products to sell them. Companies are not even required to have doctors say that to use it on their packaging.
* A product can be "[[low fat]]" but that does not mean it is low in calories.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dusen, A. V.|date=29 July 2008|title=Nine ways food labels mislead|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date= November 17, 2011|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/29/health-labels-food-forbeslife-cx_avd_0729health.html}}</ref> A product's name can also be misleading. For instance, the food industry advertises [[high fructose corn syrup]] as being made from corn without artificial ingredients, having the same calories as sugar and acceptable when used in moderation. Despite its name, high fructose corn syrup is simply a sugar made from corn or an [[added sugar]] in the diet. It is not high in fructose as its name would suggest. High fructose corn syrup is composed of the same two simple sugars (fructose and glucose) as table sugar, honey and maple syrup.<ref>{{cite web|author=David Knowles|date=September 14, 2010|title=CRA Petitions FDA for Use of "Corn Sugar|publisher=SweetSurprise.com|url=http://www.sweetsurprise.com/news-and-press/press-releases/corn-sugar-fda-petition}}</ref>

Perception management is essentially a means for which an image or reputation can be created and maintained, whether it is true or not. On September 24, 2011, The [[American Dietetic Association]] announced it would change its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In this case, the ADA is adjusting its name to more accurately describe the organization.  According to Escott-Stump, "The name Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the strong science background and academic expertise of our members."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |author1=Ryan O'Malley |author2=Allison MacMunn |date=September 24, 2011 |title=New name, same commitment to public's nutritional health: American Dietetic Association becomes Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics |publisher=eatright.org |url=http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442465361 |access-date=2011-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130023624/http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442465361 |archive-date=2011-11-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is thought that by adding the word nutrition to its name, the organization is better able to communicate its ability to transfer nutritional science and research into healthy lifestyles and foods everyone can understand.  Also, by keeping dietetics, it creates a connection between the new research and the history and reputation ADA has as a food and science-based profession.  Escott-Stump reassured the public that although the name is changing, the organization's mission will remain the same as it has been for nearly 100 years.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>