You cannot judge a book by its cover, and you cannot judge a granola by its name. That’s the lesson one learns when looking at a box of Trader Joe’s Trek Mix Granola called “Simply Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries.”
Based on the product’s name, one would think this was more of a trail mix, containing only almonds, cashews and cranberries. Yum.
*MOUSE PRINT:
It really has more oats and sugar than any other ingredient, as well as flour and oil. The key ingredients — almonds, cashews, and cranberries — are not even in the order of predominance suggested by the product’s name. In fact, they are in the opposite order, with more cranberries present than almonds.
Just as those old Freezer Queen two pound frozen entries used to be named “Gravy and Turkey” because there was more gravy than turkey in product, Trader Joe’s should simply rename their product more accurately.
Thanks to Willie L. for this submission.
Ridiculous posting! The package is clearly and appropriately labeled “Trek Mix Granola”, not trail mix. The photo on the package shows granola mixed with almonds, cashews and cranberries.
Well if the rather large picture right on the front of the bag doesn’t help, the fact that the product is clearly labeled “granola” would lead any average, rational person to think that there was more than “simply almonds, cashews & cranberries” in the bag (otherwise it would be labeled “trail mix” and not “granola”). These are simply the main flavorings of this granola. The other ingredients listed are all standard ingredients for a granola. You’re being a bit nit picky if you ask me.
I always appreciate these, but have to agree this time it seems a little too picky. I think a better place to criticize might be Froot Loops as health food:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html?_r=1&hp
Thank you so much for your contributions, though! I do appreciate them.
It’s exactly what I would expect granola to be.
And the point is? Seems like the product is rather clear with the label Granola. I’ll joint nit picking crowd.
+1 on the nitpicking charge. It’s granola. Says so on the box, and in the picture. Of course there is something more in the box than Almonds, Cashews and Cranberries.
All those other ingredients are standard granola ingredients.
I think this one’s a non-starter.
You need to learn what granola is. This package is not labelled trail mix. It’s labelled granola.
I think you should call Kelloggs and tell them to change the name of Raisin Bran….because clearly there is more bran in the package than raisins.
I’m with the majority. I think you need to step back and admit your error on this one.
Fist bump to crbby on the Raisin Bran point!
Interesting how everyone defended Trader Joe’s. I wonder if the comments would have been the same if the label had been Walmart’s Great Value brand.
That said, I think I fall in the middle on this one. We can see it is granola, and it is labeled “granola”. However, I agree with the suggestion that it should have been called “Cranberries, Cashews and Almonds” to reflect the relative quantities of the ingredients. (In fact, there is more vegetable oil than almonds.) And the word “Simply” puzzles me. Maybe it means that there are no other non-granola ingredients besides those listed. It could be a little deceptive.
This everyone has never been to Trader’s Joe. If it was places I shop such as Hannaford’s or Market Basket I would have said the same.
Ok Richard, how much did Edgar pay you for that post. Just silly!
I respect someone more when they admit their error. I don’t care what brand it is, it is no more inaccurate than Kellogg’s (or Great Value) Raisin Bran.
With all due respect, folks, while the word “granola” IS on the box, the attempt is to mislead YOU by using MUCH larger words for negligible desireable ingredients. Now why would one do that?
By comparison, “granola” is fine print.So you excuse the deception. If it isn’t deception, why the fine print?
The key here is DECEPTION. That isn’t honest – a characteristic we should hold everyone to, especially in advertising.
UNLESS we change the definition of advertising to be:
ADVERTISING: A shrewed and misleading attempt to seperate you from your money, designed by professionals trained in the art of deception.