Vitaminwater Ads, Labels Are ‘Dangerously Misleading’

The National Consumers League (NCL) filed a complaint with the FTC against The Coca-Cola Company. The complaint calls advertising and labeling claims made by vitaminwater “dangerously misleading" and urges FTC to put a stop to the statements suggesting vitaminwater can replace flu shots and prevent illness.

“These advertising claims are not only untrue; they constitute a public health menace. Stopping these vitaminwater claims, which contradict information by the Centers for Disease Control and other public health authorities, should be a top FTC priority," stated Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of NCL. “The FTC should act now, during cold and flu season, to stop vitaminwater’s outlandish claims."

The complaint also urges FTC to halt deceptive label statements that describe vitaminwater as a “nutrient enhanced water beverage" and that claim “vitamins + water = all you need."

According to NCL, the statements are deceptive because the products on which they appear are not simply made from vitamins and water, but are made with crystalline fructose or other forms of sugar, and contain 125 calories per bottle.

“Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese; the last thing people need is sugar water with vitamins you could get from eating a healthy diet, or by taking a vitamin pill," Greenberg stated.

Sources:

* National Consumers League: Consumer group urges FTC to halt ‘dangerously misleading’ marketing claims by vitaminwater