Quaker Instant Oatmeal Labeling Misconception

What if you bought Fig Newtons and they were filled with raisins instead? Or perhaps Cherry Garcia ice cream and instead of maraschino cherries, Ben and Jerry used sweetened apples? Well, that's exactly what Quaker Instant Oatmeal's 'Fruit and Cream' line does.   

  

Quaker Instant Oatmeal Fruit & Cream

Most of us are familiar with those beige, paper baggies that you mix with hot water, introduced in the 1950's. The Fruit and Cream line includes flavors such as 'Strawberries and Cream', 'Peaches and Cream' and 'Blueberries and Cream'. So naturally you'd expect little, dehydrated pieces of those fruits in the instant oatmeal. 

Reality suggests otherwise. Strawberries and Cream; no strawberries, instead they use dehydrated apples and strawberry flavor. Blueberries and Cream; again no blueberries, instead Quaker uses dried figs. Peaches and Cream; dehydrated apples. Here's a list of ingredients per Quaker's website if you want to double check.  

So don't be fooled by the puffy, white haired man on the box. These line extensions are merely a flavored illusion. Ironically, Quaker's website (who was bought by PepsiCo in 2001) says "His image is that of a man dressed in the Quaker garb, chosen because the Quaker faith projected the values of honesty, integrity, purity and strength."