Coke Gets Sued for Advertising VitaminWater as Healthy
Center for Science in the Public Interest has filed a class-action lawsuit against Coca-Cola, the parent company of Glaceau Vitamin Water. Vitamin Water, says CSPI, makes sugary drinks that promote obesity but positions these products as healthful because they contain added vitamins and herbs. Does this make them healthier? No, but it certainly makes them sell better.
I have a question in regard to this statement from the referenced Reuters article: “Coke came under fire in December by the FDA, which said claims Diet Coke Plus includes a variety of vitamins and minerals violate U.S. policy against marketing soda and other snack foods as more nutritious.”
When a soda or other snack food has had vitamins and minerals added to it, isn’t it actually more nutritious (assuming actual absorption of the stuff)? Why does such a law exist except to babysit the confused populous? Drinking Diet Coke Plus has got to be at least a little better than drinking its alternative. I say let them market their VitaminWater less as a “health food” and more as a “healthier alternative food”.
Sometimes regulation and litigation can go too far.
January 20, 2009
Tags: FDA, Health, nutrition, obesity, policy, soda Posted in: Health, Politics
Leave a Reply