Critics Question Some Immunity-Boosting Claims

INDIANAPOLIS -- With the flu season in full swing, Hoosiers are looking for ways to protect themselves, but some doctors warn about putting blind trust in grocery store labels.

Walking down any food aisle, consumers are bombarded with a growing number of packaged goods claiming to support a healthy immune system, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.

More: H1N1 Special Section

Boxes of Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Cocoa Krispies proclaim that the cereals "now helps support your child's immunity," while boxes of Green Giant Immunity Boost Vegetables can be found in the frozen food section.

Crystal Light Immunity Cherry Pomegranate drink contains vitamins A, C and E, which the label contends will help "maintain a healthy immune system."

But some critics question the validity of such claims. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington-based watchdog group, is urging the government to crack down on what it calls "deceptive claims" on food labels.

"I'm not surprised, but disappointed," said Dr. Craig Wilson, a doctor of internal medicine at Indianapolis' St. Vincent Hospital. "I would hope people aren't making specific purchasing decisions from pre-packaged foods based on claims that haven't been substantiated."

Instead, Wilson prescribes four things to protect people during the cold and flu season: eating a well-balanced diet, exercise, reduced stress and plenty of sleep.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it's too good to be true," he said. "Those items, while they may be healthy, should not be the sole basis for an immune boosting diet."

He said getting vaccinated against the seasonal and the H1N1 flu, along with practicing good hygiene, will also help to keep people healthy.