FDA warns KIND Bars on 'healthy' labeling

Susan Wyatt | KING-TV

KIND, the snack bar company, got a not-so-kind warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that several of the company's products aren't as healthy as advertised.

In a letter to CEO Daniel Lubetzky dated March 17, 2015, the FDA cited several "significant violations."

The letter cited labels on Kind Fruit & Nut Almond & Apricot, Kind Fruit & Nut Almond & Coconut, Kind Plus Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate & Protein, and Kind Plus Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew & Antioxidants that "bear the claim 'healthy and tasty, convenient and wholesome,' in connection with statements such as:

"good source of fiber," "no trans fats," "very low sodium" or "low sodium," "50% DV antioxidants vitamins A, C and E" and "7g protein."

But, the letter said, none of those products meet the FDA requirements for use of the nutrient content claim "healthy."

"You should take prompt action to correct the violations," William A. Correll of the FDA New York District wrote. "Failure to promptly correct the violations may result in regulatory action without further notice, including seizure and/or injunction."

On April 14, KIND posted a note on its website saying "Our team at KIND is fully committed to working alongside the FDA, and we're moving quickly to comply with its request. We're also taking it upon ourselves to conduct a thorough review of all of our snack food labels and website information to ensure that they're compliant."

The company went on to say:

"The FDA pointed out a number of items that we're correcting, and there's one that we feel is particularly important to discuss as it cuts to the core of who we are. We've built a brand centered around creating wholesome and great tasting snacks. While this will never change, some of our products do not follow the FDA regulatory standard for using the word "healthy" on a label, which says, among other things, that a snack food can't have more than 3g of total fat or 1g of saturated fat per serving.

Nuts, key ingredients in many of our snacks and one of the things that make fans love our bars, contain nutritious fats that exceed the amount allowed under the FDA's standard. This is similar to other foods that do not meet the standard for use of the term healthy, but are generally considered to be good for you like avocados, salmon and eggs."