JudynTX
01-16-2009, 02:50 PM
The Coca-Cola Company is being sued over allegations that it made fraudulent claims on its vitaminwater line of beverages, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
CPSI, which filed the class-action lawsuit, says the product claims are "deceptive and unsubstantiated."
"Coke markets vitaminwater as a healthful alternative to soda by labeling its several flavors with such health buzz words as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy,” and “endurance," CPSI charged. ”The company makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy joints, and support optimal immune function.
"In fact, according to CSPI nutritionists, the 33 grams of sugar in each bottle of vitaminwater do more to promote obesity, diabetes, and other health problems than the vitamins in the drinks do to perform the advertised benefits listed on the bottles."
Coke, a frequent CSPI target, called the lawsuit, "ridicululous" and said filing a lawsuit was a "cheap, opportunistic public relations stunt."
"Glacéau vitaminwater is a great tasting, hydrating beverage with essential vitamins and water, with labels showing calorie content," said Coke spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante. "Consumers can readily see the nutrition facts panels on every bottle of glacéau vitaminwater, which show what’s in our product and what’s not."
Some experts, however, warn that fortified waters don't offer many health benefits.
"There’s not a single drink out there--from Enviga to SmartWater--that has any proof of impact," nutrition professor Barry Popkin told me when I wrote this piece on enhanced water.
"Just because [a nutrient] is in the product doesn't necessarily mean it will impact you or get in your body. There are all sorts of false labels promising health benefits," said Popkin, who directs the Interdisciplinary Center for Obesity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
link (http://http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2009/01/experts-get-your-vitamins-from-food--the-coca-cola-company-is-being-sued-for-fraudulent-claims-on-its-vitaminwater-line-of-b.html)
I've never tried Vitaminwater.
CPSI, which filed the class-action lawsuit, says the product claims are "deceptive and unsubstantiated."
"Coke markets vitaminwater as a healthful alternative to soda by labeling its several flavors with such health buzz words as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy,” and “endurance," CPSI charged. ”The company makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy joints, and support optimal immune function.
"In fact, according to CSPI nutritionists, the 33 grams of sugar in each bottle of vitaminwater do more to promote obesity, diabetes, and other health problems than the vitamins in the drinks do to perform the advertised benefits listed on the bottles."
Coke, a frequent CSPI target, called the lawsuit, "ridicululous" and said filing a lawsuit was a "cheap, opportunistic public relations stunt."
"Glacéau vitaminwater is a great tasting, hydrating beverage with essential vitamins and water, with labels showing calorie content," said Coke spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante. "Consumers can readily see the nutrition facts panels on every bottle of glacéau vitaminwater, which show what’s in our product and what’s not."
Some experts, however, warn that fortified waters don't offer many health benefits.
"There’s not a single drink out there--from Enviga to SmartWater--that has any proof of impact," nutrition professor Barry Popkin told me when I wrote this piece on enhanced water.
"Just because [a nutrient] is in the product doesn't necessarily mean it will impact you or get in your body. There are all sorts of false labels promising health benefits," said Popkin, who directs the Interdisciplinary Center for Obesity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
link (http://http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2009/01/experts-get-your-vitamins-from-food--the-coca-cola-company-is-being-sued-for-fraudulent-claims-on-its-vitaminwater-line-of-b.html)
I've never tried Vitaminwater.