CSPI Challenges Coke’s Fuze Claims

27/09/07 The lobby group, The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is challenging Coca-Cola’s claims on its tea and fruit drinks it sells under its Fuze brand which are claimed will help you avoid cancer, heart disease, colds, flu, and infections of the lungs and kidneys. The CSPI says those claims are unfounded and illegal and today urged the Food and Drug Administration to take enforcement action against the company.

Labels for Fuze Vitalize blackberry grape claim that its Vitamin A “helps reinforce resistance to colds, influenza & infections of the kidneys, bladder and lungs.” Fuze Oolong Tea claims that “regular consumption of Polyphenols are associated with reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.” The vitamin B3 in the four flavors of Fuze Refresh is “known to improve circulation and reduce the cholesterol level in the blood,” according to the Fuze web site. None of those claims have been approved by the FDA, the group said in a statement.

“Fuze drinks won’t do anything for your kidneys, your lungs, or your heart; nor will they lower your cholesterol or prevent you from catching a cold,” says CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt. “Fuze quacks like a duck, and the Food and Drug Administration should be shooting these wacky claims out of the sky.”

Schardt and CSPI litigation director Steve Gardner urged the FDA to take Fuze off the market until the company complies with federal food labeling law.

Coca-Cola purchased Fuze earlier this year as part of its campaign to sell drinks with a more healthful aura. CSPI is suing Coca-Cola over claims that its new green-tea flavored soda Enviga “burns calories,” “speeds metabolism,” and promotes weight loss.