Monday, April 09, 2007

Warning...Beware of 'warnings'...

I'm not overly political, or controversial, and to date have not used my blog to discuss anything but nutritional science, heat related clinical syndromes in athletes and product development, all topics I am passionate about...but,

we've known for sometime now about some of the 'warnings' that are listed on our competitors' labels...well, actually, on the labels of one specific competitor-the only competitor who has the 'public interest at heart' by being kind enough to warn them at all...

This particular company warns their consumers against the evils of combining their products with any other competitor products that contain 'simple sugars', warning the unweary that they may suffer, ahh, well...I don't know what they are warning against! I have been practicing sports medicine for years, and have never come across any scientific information that supports this 'warning', despite consistent and thorough reviews of the science we have to date. I have seen 17000 patients as a sport medicine physician and not once have I EVER come across any problems in athletes that were due to the consumption of 'simple' sugars. And, certainly no harm could ever come of combining the products of said company with those of any other company, simple sugars or not, despite their 'warning'.

Not a week goes by when a consumer doesn't email me wondering if this 'warning' is actually based on anything other than marketing hype. I congratulate said company on their marketing savvy-a great way to scare people into using their products, or, rather, into not using the products of their competitors. Besides fear, surely there must be some good, solid scientific reasons why said company thinks their products are worthy of use...

Those of us who manufacture sports nutrition products have an obligation to stick to the science, followed by clinical experience, if there is any. Unfounded 'warnings' directed to consumers trying to make sense of the myriad of scientific data and marketing hype out there are just plain irresponsible. Warnings can be taken way out of context, instill needless fear in people who may not be well versed on the science, and in the end, to the other companies trying to make and market good quality products based on defensible platforms, are a disappointment to see.

Surely, said company can, and should, think of a more honest approach to their marketing tactics.