The FDA is cracking down on labels that deceive consumers. But at a time when money-strapped consumers are demanding honesty in their brands, doesn’t it make good sense for CPG companies to be policing themselves?

A report in Causecast notes that the Food and Drug Administration is taking renewed interest in food labels that exaggerate or falsify product claims. The FDA is taking on several popular, symbol-based labels the agency claims are oversimplifying key product information to the point that consumers are getting the message of a healthy product, such as “high in omega-3 fats,” but not necessarily that the product also might contain a high sugar content. It’s ironic that such labeling missteps continue to occur at a time when consumers are looking to simplify their lifestyles and reconnect with others and with the brands they love, seeking to develop honest and real relationships.