The Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Coca-Cola last week saying the label of its VitaminWater misleads people into thinking it is a healthy alternative to other beverages thanks to its added vitamins and minerals.

 

The nutrition advocacy group further said that flavored sugary water shouldn’t be marketed as a healthy drink. Coca-Cola claims its drink reduces the risk of chronic disease, reduces the risk of eye disease, promotes healthy joints and supports optimal immune function.

 

The CSPI contradicted Coca-Cola saying that as much as 33 g found in each bottle can increase someone’s chances of becoming obese, developing diabetes and other health problems than “the vitamins in the drinks do to perform the advertised benefits listed on the bottle.”

 

CSPI leader Steve Gardner said it’s shocking that such a renowned company “feels the need to market a soft drink as a vitamin pill to hide the fact it is really sugar water.”

 

As a response to the accusation, Coca-Cola, spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante called the suit ridiculous. She further sustained that the label of the water shows the amount of vitamins and calories in the products so there’s no need for such a lawsuit.

 

This is not Coca-Cola's first fight with CSPI, as in 2007 the group sued the company over claims that its Enviga brand burns more calories than it consumes, resulting in weight loss. This suit is still pending. Furthermore, Coke also received a letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), stating that Diet Coke Plus' nutrient claims are in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.