It’s hard to find the TRUE list of Nutella ingredients online believe it or not.  You would think that the official Nutella website would give the full listing of Nutella ingredients along with the nutrition figures. Most other food manufacturers do so why doesn’t Nutella?  Well, ultimately they are trying to “trick” consumers into believing that it is a “Healthy option.”  Here’s all they tell you about what is in their “iconic” product: Hazelnuts, cocoa powder, skim milk powder, vegetable oil, sugar, soy lecithin, and vanillin.  Yes, these may be the correct ingredients in Nutella, but not in their correct order.  Nutella wants you to believe that their product is predominately composed of hazelnuts and cocoa, two healthy sounding  ingredients, so they re-arrange the true order to make a better impression.  As a result, they leave out the percentage and the correct additive names. 

        Despite Ferrero’s clever marketing of Nutella as a harmless hazelnut spread, in reality Nutella’s melted-chocolate-bar taste is indicative of its true nutritional value. By weight, Nutella contains 70 percent saturated fat and processed sugar, which means in a standard serving of two tablespoons there are 200 calories, 11 grams of fat and 21 grams of sugar.  In 2012, Nutella came under scrutiny when a California mother sued Ferrero for false advertising by claiming that she fed her 4-year-old Nutella daily under the false pretense that it was part of a healthy, balanced breakfast. In keeping with the tried-and-true American tradition of ridiculous lawsuits, the case went to court, and Ferrero agreed to a $3 million settlement.  As part of the settlement, Ferrero revamped its advertising campaign and added nutrition facts to the front labels of Nutella jars. Additionally, Nutella buyers, who were willing to go through the trouble of filing a claim and succumbing to the embarrassment of admitting Ferrero marketing duped them, could receive reimbursement for up to five jars of Nutella for a total value of $20. Personally, I might file the claim to receive the $20 then turn around and buy the five jars of Nutella.  However, the 2012 case does not seem to have had any affect on the popularity of Nutella. Despite the shocking revelation that Nutella is, in fact, not entirely healthy, America and the rest of world seem to be just as enamored with the product as ever before.

    Just last month Chicago opened a new Italian-themed food emporium ingeniously titled “Eataly.” Of the 15 restaurants opened in Eataly, Nutella Chicago was easily the most buzzed about and undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited. Serving such specialties as Nutella cannolis, Nutella crepes and much more, Nutella Chicago perfectly exemplifies America’s obsession with the sinful spread. While Ferrero’s website now suggests Nutella as a mere “complement” to nutritious breakfast foods only to be used in “moderation,” I have a feeling that with new restaurants devoted solely to Nutella-themed menu items, America’s Nutella addiction is only likely to strengthen with every devilish spoonful consumed straight from the jar. (cw.ua.edu)