Coke Lies About Health Benefits of VitaminWater, Consumer Group Alleges

Beverage giant Coca-Cola Co. makes deceptive health claims about the benefits of its popular VitaminWater brand of beverages, according a class-action lawsuit by a nationwide consumer rights group.

In the lawsuit, filed Jan. 14, 2009 in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California, the Center for Science in the Public Interest claims Coca-Cola markets flavors of VitaminWater as a healthy alternative to soda by using words such as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy” and “endurance” in the product labeling and advertisements. In doing so, the company misleads consumers into thinking the products are healthier than they are, the group alleges.

According to the group’s 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,” the lawsuit alleges.

The class-action suit, filed on behalf of VitaminWater users nationwide, seeks to force Coca-Cola to revise the product’s packaging and pay damages to consumers who drank the water thinking it was a healthier alternative.

Coca-Cola officials deemed the lawsuit “ridiculous” and said that VitaminWater is clearly and properly labeled in accordance with Food and Drug Administration rules, including showing the amount of vitamins and calories in the drinks.

Coca-Cola acquired VitaminWater-maker Glaceauin in May 2007 for a purchase price of $4.1 billion. Coke and its main rival, Pepsi, both sell what they call “functional beverages,” which the makers say contain vitamins, nutrients, and stimulants, such as caffeine or guarana.

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