First it was the Brits, who wanted to ban ads for Nutella Chocolate-Hazelnut spread because they said the ads overstated the healthfulness of the goo. Now, it seems a French Cabinet Minister is up in arms over the environmental impact of the product. But wait a minute…
Good for you or not, some folks just can’t get enough Nutella!
French Minister for the Environment Segolene Royal quickly back-pedaled last week after announcing publicly that because the Ferrero Company of Italy, which makes Nutella, uses a lot of coconut oil, it is contributing to the destruction of the environment.Something about deforestation.
In fact, Greenpeace says, Ferrero is a partner, with it, in an international group dedicated to creating a sustainable Coconut Oil industry.
The French announcement also caused a huge uproar in Italy, home of Nutella, not only because France and Italy are (supposedly) steadfast partners in the EC, but because France imports a huge amount if the spread. Italian Politicians and Food Industry types, alike, were outraged.
The upshot of all the Nutella controversy was a flurry of calls from health watchdog and consumer groups to boycott the stuff. now, it seems everybody involved is quietly withdrawing from the field of battle and disarming.
But what a grand windfall of free advertising for Nutella and Ferrero!
~ Maggie J.