The Catalan Consumer Agency has opened proceedings against Danone over Activia

The case could end in a fine against the company, which OCU would consider more than justified. According to its advertising, taking daily Activia helps regulate bowel movements; but there is nothing to back up this statement. In fact, the EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority has not authorized this claim. Therefore, the promise of Activia or Actimel, which promises to strengthen our defences, is still unsupported. In reality, all Danone can use in advertising Actimel are generic packaging labels about the vitamins or minerals it contains.

Actimel is a fermented milk, one of the ingredients of which is a microorganism (Lactobacillus casei inmunitass), exclusive to Danone. This probiotic is actually comparable to any yogurt on the market, although it has a much higher price. And from a purely nutritional point of view, three little bottles would be needed to be equivalent to simple glass of milk. A well-orchestrated publicity campaign, a slogan repeated over a long period of time and some testimony; that is all that has been needed to convince many people of the benefits of a product, although not endorsed by scientific authorities. The relationship between food and health is never dependent on a single food but on a balanced and varied diet, to which should be added regular, suitable exercise.

Therefore, returning to the initial Danone slogan about the benefits of Actimel, against a drop in one’s defences due to lack of sleep, stress, work, household chores or trying to do everything, the solution is to eat well, stop, delegate and sleep. We are pleased that the authorities are investigating these cases and we hope for due diligence in other procedures in which OCU has filed complaints (eg, it is not scientifically proven that soya lowers cholesterol, nor that bifidus strengthens the body’s defences); OCU argues that there should be a uniformity of criteria when applying the law in all products in which their supposed results are not scientifically endorsed.