By Kathryn Wolper

During a week in which the American public is fed up with the ins and outs of government, a government agency has spoken up about one of the country’s favorite culinary accouterments: Nutella. According to NPR, Ferrero, the company that makes Nutella, is lobbying the Food and Drug Administration to classify Nutella as a sweet spread, like honey or jam, instead of a dessert topping. The classification has implications for the way the food’s nutritional facts are labeled because these categories have different serving sizes. A change in the serving size of Nutella could radically change the way people view its healthfulness.

Such a battle highlights the ways in which government influences people and the ways in which companies present their products to the public. Although the semantic battle in which Ferrero is engaged seems low-stakes, the reasons for it are understandable. Furthermore, the debate gives Nutella fans a chance to express themselves by discussing how they use Nutella. NPR reports that a 2012 survey of Nutella users revealed 74 percent used it with bread or toast. However, Nutella is also a common ingredient in milkshakes, dessert crepes, ice cream sundaes, hot chocolate and other baked goods. Truly, it defies categorization.

How the FDA chooses to label it will not limit users’ creativity, nor will it change the popularity of the treat. It will, however, change the way that the nutritional value of Nutella is displayed. NPR reports that if the FDA reclassifies the dessert topping as a spread, the fat and calorie count listed on the packaging could be cut in half. Naturally, spreads are labeled with smaller serving sizes than dessert toppings. Such implications do have real effects on the purchasing behaviors of health-conscious consumers.

Re-labeling Nutella could trick consumers who look at the caloric bottom line of the product without paying attention to serving size into thinking that Nutella is a bit healthier than it really is.

Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to make informed choices about the nutrition of food products, but making these choices requires some math and honesty about habits of use. Many consumers trust a company’s labeling of nutrition facts in order to make their decisions. This debate over categorization and labeling raises questions and concerns about how other products are labeled in a way that is inconsistent with their common uses. When serving sizes are unrealistically small, nutrition facts are dishonest.

Companies like Ferrero should engage in surveys about the use of their products. Such information can help them properly label their products, and it can also help them position themselves more accurately in the market. If, for example, Ferrero found that most users were using Nutella as a dessert topping, it wouldn’t make sense to advertise a family serving a wholesome breakfast using Nutella as a spread. Surveys help companies make informed choices in the best interest of their consumers.