Panera Bread's food is 100% clean
MonkeyMel21
Posts: 2,396 Member
How can they claim it? There's a billboard on my way home from work that says "100% of our food is 100% clean". I get irritated every time I see those claims, lol. How can they prove it, what exactly do they mean?
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They can claim it because there are so many definitions of "clean" out there. I see the billboards too (makes me laugh) it's meaningless advertising.10
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They don't have to prove anything because it's a meaningless marketing term with no real definition. They're just doubling down on trendiness...12
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It means they make sure every sandwich, bagel, salad, and the rest of the gang practices good hygiene11
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They cannot claim it, but they can say it all they want to.
and this "clean eating" thing is just a thing, it means 10 different things to 10 different people.7 -
That's what irritates me so much cause I know it's meaningless, but all these other people are somehow impressed by it. Or at least PB acts like we should be impressed. So they really don't have to back up their claim just because there's no actual definition.3
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ActivatedAlm0nds wrote: »It means they make sure every sandwich, bagel, salad, and the rest of the gang practices good hygiene
This is what I imagine on my drive. They washed the lettuce, therefor it's clean!3 -
They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.10 -
They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.
^^Was just about to post exactly this, but I took too long Googling it. They have defined it for their own restaurant. I think it's still crap.
No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors is the official wording.0 -
ActivatedAlm0nds wrote: »It means they make sure every sandwich, bagel, salad, and the rest of the gang practices good hygiene
Wow that's the dankest Pepe I've seen in a while.0 -
diannethegeek wrote: »They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.
^^Was just about to post exactly this, but I took too long Googling it. They have defined it for their own restaurant. I think it's still crap.
No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors is the official wording.
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MonkeyMel21 wrote: »That's what irritates me so much cause I know it's meaningless, but all these other people are somehow impressed by it. Or at least PB acts like we should be impressed. So they really don't have to back up their claim just because there's no actual definition.
The two biggest diet fads/trends at the moment are "clean eating" and low carb...just look at about any magazine in the supermarket checkout...paleo is still fairly prominent as well, but not nearly where it was four years ago. The diet and fitness industry is a multi billion dollar industry...they want people to be impressed/excited about many meaningless things...'cuz $$$
There's always going to be capitalization on trends by restaurants, food companies, etc...there's a whole line of paleo approved processed foods that they sell at Costco and elsewhere...even though the whole idea behind paleo was to get off the processed food.2 -
Here's what they claim, from their website:100% of our food is 100% clean. That means no artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors and no colors from artificial sources.
This is why discussions about "clean" are maddening. See if this matches any of the definitions that @diannethegeek often lists. Many of those definitions wouldn't even allow bread!
And in the meantime, I believe Panera continues to sell Pepsi products, including Diet Pepsi.
I actually kind of like Panera, and will continue to eat there on occasion. But this is just a bald marketing gimmick for those who like to think they are on the bleeding edge.
ETA: I see I was late on the draw!2 -
I think it is hilarious. Good on them for making a buck or two off the woo. I just enjoyed a very "clean" cinnamon crunch bagel with honey walnut cream cheese this morning, and felt quite fancy and virtuous.11
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I like Panera, but this type of shady marketing makes me avoid them.4
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cwolfman13 wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »That's what irritates me so much cause I know it's meaningless, but all these other people are somehow impressed by it. Or at least PB acts like we should be impressed. So they really don't have to back up their claim just because there's no actual definition.
The two biggest diet fads/trends at the moment are "clean eating" and low carb...just look at about any magazine in the supermarket checkout...paleo is still fairly prominent as well, but not nearly where it was four years ago. The diet and fitness industry is a multi billion dollar industry...they want people to be impressed/excited about many meaningless things...'cuz $$$
There's always going to be capitalization on trends by restaurants, food companies, etc...there's a whole line of paleo approved processed foods that they sell at Costco and elsewhere...even though the whole idea behind paleo was to get off the processed food.
Along these lines.......I remember KFC ads were saying they were low carb and Atkins friendly. Ad campaign didn't last long, too obvious maybe.3 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »That's what irritates me so much cause I know it's meaningless, but all these other people are somehow impressed by it. Or at least PB acts like we should be impressed. So they really don't have to back up their claim just because there's no actual definition.
The two biggest diet fads/trends at the moment are "clean eating" and low carb...just look at about any magazine in the supermarket checkout...paleo is still fairly prominent as well, but not nearly where it was four years ago. The diet and fitness industry is a multi billion dollar industry...they want people to be impressed/excited about many meaningless things...'cuz $$$
There's always going to be capitalization on trends by restaurants, food companies, etc...there's a whole line of paleo approved processed foods that they sell at Costco and elsewhere...even though the whole idea behind paleo was to get off the processed food.
Along these lines.......I remember KFC ads were saying they were low carb and Atkins friendly. Ad campaign didn't last long, too obvious maybe.
I believe Taco Bell is currently marketing a low carb/keto friendly taco where the shell is made with a fried chicken shell and then stuffed with chicken...sounds quite disgusting to me personally...3 -
If they define it for the people who care...and they do define it...then it is a good thing. There are many people who choose not to eat certain things...like artificial sweeteners or HFCS...for various health reasons. You may not choose to eat that way, but for those who do this information is helpful. To the people who care about these things, this is valuable information.
I applaud any company that does more to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed choices. I wish more would.5 -
PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »I like Panera, but this type of shady marketing makes me avoid them.
It's not really shady marketing since they provide a list of what this means. See a few posts above yours.0 -
I think it is a bit silly but at the same time, it makes good business sense to go that route with marketing. I have no problem with it.0
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Meh, they've found a market to capitalize on. It's a sound business strategy. At the end of the day, only you are in charge of what you consume and whether or not you deem it 'clean.'0
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How is it shady if they define exactly what they mean and spell it out in black and white? Consumers are informed if they choose to take a few minutes and read. If consumers don't choose to read the caveats that's their problem.PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »I like Panera, but this type of shady marketing makes me avoid them.
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diannethegeek wrote: »They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.
^^Was just about to post exactly this, but I took too long Googling it. They have defined it for their own restaurant. I think it's still crap.
No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors is the official wording.
So no diet sodas sold at Panera??0 -
Panera is gross. Chicken tastes processed to me. I'm not convinced.1
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MonkeyMel21 wrote: »How can they claim it? There's a billboard on my way home from work that says "100% of our food is 100% clean". I get irritated every time I see those claims, lol. How can they prove it, what exactly do they mean?
Because they meet/exceed health department codes for clean food prep areas?0 -
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diannethegeek wrote: »They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.
^^Was just about to post exactly this, but I took too long Googling it. They have defined it for their own restaurant. I think it's still crap.
No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors is the official wording.
So no diet sodas sold at Panera??
They seem to exclude things made off site, but I can't wait until you actually look at what's excluded and fine caffeine is there too.
Idk why you're arguing with me. I didn't make up the rules. I just went out and found them since no one else seemed to want to.1 -
diannethegeek wrote: »diannethegeek wrote: »They do provide their own definition - no preservatives, no food coloring, no artificial sweeteners. I think that's it, but I may be missing something.
That said, the whole advertising campaign just irritates the crap out of me. Anything that perpetuates the 'clean eating' nonsense does.
^^Was just about to post exactly this, but I took too long Googling it. They have defined it for their own restaurant. I think it's still crap.
No artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors is the official wording.
So no diet sodas sold at Panera??
They seem to exclude things made off site, but I can't wait until you actually look at what's excluded and fine caffeine is there too.
Idk why you're arguing with me. I didn't make up the rules. I just went out and found them since no one else seemed to want to.
I knew I'd read something from them on diet soda before, so found it (for the record, none of this is my opinion, just reporting):
https://www.bevnet.com/news/2015/panera-bread-to-ax-artificial-ingredients-just-not-at-the-soda-fountain
"In a call with BevNET, Jonathan Yohannan, the director of public relations for Panera Bread, stated that, for the time being, the No No List will not be extended to beverages sold at its stores. Yohannan noted that while Panera has made strides to remove certain ingredients from its bakery-based items — a process that began last year — the company’s list is “a start for us.”
...While many health advocates praised Panera’s decision to trim artificial additives from its prepared food, Michael Jacobson, the executive director of The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an influential watchdog group, questioned the restaurant chain’s exclusion of artificial additives found in Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Mountain Dew, which Panera sells in bottle and fountain options.
“Panera should have made clear that these improvements won’t happen at the soda fountain,” Jacobson said in a statement published on May 5. “Presumably the high-fructose corn syrup or the poorly tested sweetener acesulfame potassium will remain in the Pepsi and Diet Pepsi it sells; the same goes for the Yellow 5, the calcium disodium EDTA, and the brominated vegetable oil in its Mountain Dew.”
However, Panera is examining ways to offer healthier beverage options, according to Amanda Cardosi, a public relations manager with the company. Replying to further inquiry, Cardosi wrote in an e-mail to BevNET that Panera is “on a journey to constantly improve, and a review of our beverages is on the list.” She noted that the company is “in discussions with our vendors to look at options that get us to a place with no high fructose corn syrup and more natural and low calorie sweeteners.”
Cardosi pointed to Panera’s inclusion of tea, lemonade and orange juice as examples of beverages sold in its stores that are not made without artificial additives. The company also has “several bottled beverage options, teas and diet soda options for those who focus on added sugars in their diet,” she said.
Bolstering its case to deliver on more better-for-you beverage options, Panera recently partnered with two organic beverage companies, having added Purity Organic’s Strawberry Paradise Juice to its menu in approximately 1,800 locations nationwide and testing Harmless Harvest’s 100% Raw Coconut Water in 140 stores. Purity’s strawberry-flavored juice drink does pack 270 calories and 63 grams of sugar per 16.9 oz bottle, but its organic formulation (organic strawberry puree, organic lemon juice concentrate) and 20 percent juice content, is likely to find some fans at Panera. Meanwhile, Harmless Harvest’s 8 oz. bottle of coconut water is currently being sold at Panera locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, upstate New York, Massachusetts and California."0 -
JohnnyPenso wrote: »
How is it shady if they define exactly what they mean and spell it out in black and white? Consumers are informed if they choose to take a few minutes and read. If consumers don't choose to read the caveats that's their problem.PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »I like Panera, but this type of shady marketing makes me avoid them.
They define it, sure, but who are they really reaching, by and large? People who like a halo floating above their fast food.2 -
I think "clean" is an annoying marketing term, but find the Westin's promotion of their in-room-dining "SuperFoods" even more ridiculous.
(SuperFoods=oranges, blueberries, apples, tomatoes, soy, broccoli, nuts, oats, yogurt, salmon -- all fine foods, but please.)1 -
coreyreichle wrote: »
True. But, I'd rather buy organic, minimally processed chicken than the plastic tasting chicken at Panera.0
This discussion has been closed.
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