The Bunny Blues

Nutrition Action Healthletter, Nov, 2006

"Premium Ice Cream Made Better For You," says the box of Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Supremes reduced fat ice cream bars. "Sweet Freedom Supremes let you enjoy the ooey gooey goodness of the Blue Bunny ice cream you love anytime you want."

That's right. Anytime you want, just help yourself to a Turtle or Peanut Butter Cup or Raspberry Cheesecake bar. Forget about the 7 or 8 grams of saturated fat--more than a third of a day's worth.

The label does contain a subtle caution--required by the FDA--to warn consumers that the saturated fat (among other things) isn't reduced. "See nutrition information about saturated fat, calories, sugars and other nutrients," it says.

But even if shoppers knew what that cryptic message meant, Blue Bunny makes it virtually invisible by putting it in squished, all-capital letters in tan print with a chocolate-colored shadow against a choco late background.

Sweet Freedom does cut calories (to around 150) by replacing much of the sugar with the safe artificial sweetener Splenda and several sugar alcohols. But Blue Bunny also adds the poorly tested artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium, so it's not such a bargain.

Our suggestion: exercise your own Sweet Freedom and leave Blue Bunny in the freezer case.

Blue Bunny: (800) 331-0830