The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and ice cream company Ben and Jerry settled for dropping the phrase 'all natural' from all product labels.

The agreement comes after the CSPI requested for the company not to use the phrase when its product contains alkalized cocoa, corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, or other ingredients considered not natural.

According to Ben and Jerry's spokesman Sean Greenwood, removing the phrase would be done gradually across Ben and Jerry's product lines. The unit of consumer products giant Unilever markets its pint tubs and mini tubs in more than 200 delis around Sydney, Melbourne, and South Queensland.

The ice cream maker works with Mission Australia in providing employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth within the flagship shop in Manly, Sydney. It has relied heavily in favorable public relations for marketing.

Meanwhile, the CSPI insisted for the U.S. Food Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a formal definition for 'natural.' CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson said, “The Food and Drug Administration could do consumers and food manufacturers a great service by actually defining when the word 'natural' can and cannot be used to characterize a given ingredient.”

The FDA does not object to the use of the phrase as long as products do not contain added colour, artificial flavours, or synthetic substances.