PepsiCo Updates 'Natural' to 'Simply' on Labels

PURCHASE, N.Y.PepsiCo will replace the word "Natural" with "Simply" on some of its product labels after several companies faced legal issues for use of the term "natural," according to a media alert from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA).

Although consumers continue to question "all natural" food claims, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not come up with a definition for the word "natural." However, it does not object to products with the label as long as they do not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances. Other companies that have come under scrutiny for using the term include Ben & Jerry's, Bryers and Pepperidge Farm.

So far, PepsiCo has changed its "Simply Natural" line of Frito-Lay chips to just "Simply," although the ingredients remain the same. Similarly, its "Natural Quaker Granola" changed to "Simply Quaker Granola." The company said the name changes took place last year as a result of its updated marketing.

Last year, PepsiCo removed the words "all natural" from its Naked juices after a lawsuit noted the drinks contained artificial ingredients. Another ongoing lawsuit filed in 2012 has challenged its description of some of its chips as "natural."

In November, PepsiCo killed off its Gatorade Natural line, saying the drinks didn't resonate with its core consumers.

The word "simply" has also caused its own controversies in the past few years. General Mills came under fire in 2011 for its use of partially hydrogenated oil in its "Simply Fruit" and other snack products.