“Natural,” however, means whatever the food producer or manufacturer says it means. So-called “functional” foods – or “techno-foods” – are those to which manufacturers add omega-3 oils, artificial sweeteners, indigestible starches, cholesterol reducers, soy or milk (whey) proteins, phytochemicals, and other ingredients to enable them to take advantage of “qualified” health claims permitted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
在美国，“有机”是由农业部赋予了确切的定义。然而，“天然”则是食品生产商或制造商们自己的说法。所谓的“功能性食品”—或“技术性食品”—则是那些由生产商加入了omega-3脂肪酸、人工甜味剂、抗性淀粉（indigestible starches）、降胆固醇剂、大豆或奶（麦）蛋白、植化素（phytochemicals）和其他成分从而能够充分发挥美国食品与药物管理局（FDA）所允许的“合格”健益特性。