Consumer Group Sues Coke over VitaminWater Claims

by Terri Potratz | January 15, 2009 at 10:22 am

1258 views | 7 Recommendations | 12 comments

A consumer watchdog group has filed a class action lawsuit against Coca-Cola, stating that the company's claims that their Vitaminwater product is a healthy alternative to pop.

Coke made headlines in December after the FDA criticized the mislabeling of 'Coke Plus,' which was also marketed as a nutritional beverage.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) said Coke made a range of claims about Vitaminwater that go beyond those allowed by the Food and Drug Administration.

"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,'" the group said in a statement.

The company also claims the drinks reduce the risk of chronic disease and eye disease, promote healthy joints and support immune function, CSPI said.

"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," the consumer group said.

Coke calls the claims 'ridiculous,' pointing out that the Glaceau vitaminwater labels are clear and accurate.

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aj_jones_iv

at 11:37 on January 15th, 2009

I added a photo of a drink cooler in an abandoned gas station along California Route 46, probably smashed by vandals.

aj_jones_iv has contributed a photo to this story.

berkielynn

at 11:54 on January 15th, 2009

I read my labels and I know it has sugar but it's far less than most things. And the actual vitamins make up for most of that.

berkielynn has contributed a photo to this story.

Anthony Altamore

at 13:11 on January 15th, 2009

last time i checked, water didn't have sugar in it. can't you add vitamins without putting as much sugar in it as there is in a can of coke? it's all about the bottom line with those companies-- if you make it taste sweet, people will buy more of it.

c-L0

at 13:24 on January 15th, 2009

I was thirsty.

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Jacobm (not verified)

at 16:46 on January 15th, 2009

I wrote an in depth article about this very thing and how Vitamin water misleads people.

check it out at: http://thisisnotadiet.org/2008/06/20/vitamin-water-and-other-drinks-that-mislead/

kelsey.wearethearsons

at 17:44 on January 15th, 2009

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deathkitty

at 17:45 on January 15th, 2009

I took a picture of vitamin water as it amused me that someone was taking any old water, stripping it of everything then putting some stuff back - what criteria do they use to decide what should be in their water?
It tastes ok and it's caffeine free so I tried it. I think that people should be allowed to make up their own minds - they wouldn't still sell it if people didn't buy it.

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iCarluccio

at 00:20 on January 16th, 2009

Gee, Thanks for posting this.. I am addicted..! (As you can see by my photo with the watermelon.. lol) How arrogant of Coca-Cola. It is really annoying that they made us all think it is good and healthy for us, but then you read this.. :(

iCarluccio

at 00:22 on January 16th, 2009

All of my friends drink this yummy water, so then I bought some and I began drinking it.. It is very nice, but I am very angry that Coca-Cola have done this. In result I will never purchase another bottle of Coca-Cola again.

iCarluccio has contributed a photo to this story.

earth_laughs_in_flowers

at 15:46 on January 17th, 2009

Read your labels---all the information is right there for you to decide what to consume, though I in no way advocate false advertising--- and always RECYCLE.

earth_laughs_in_flowers has contributed a photo to this story.

thierryweber

at 02:51 on January 31st, 2009

I did not know VitaminWater was a Coke product, thank for your article!

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Chris3183 (not verified)

at 09:13 on March 2nd, 2009

I was told this past weekend that since the vitamin water bottle is clear the vitamins are being destroyed from exposure to light. Does anyone know more on this?