Greenwash by beverage producers with products aimed at kids seems to becoming more common. Last week, I wrote about how MINUTE MAID Fruit Punch recently added artificial sweetener to it ingredients.
Last week the makers of Mott’s for Tots Immunity Support Fruit Punch were sued over allegedly false claims that the drink strengthens kids’ immune systems.
According to ClassActionBlog.com, a class action complaint has been filed in federal court against the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, (which owns the Mott’s brand). Not only are the claims misleading and overstated but according to the blog:
Based on the purportedly false and misleading labeling of its Mott’s for Tots Immune Support Fruit Punch, Dr. Pepper has been able to charge a price premium of nearly 300% over and above comparable juice products.
This isn’t a new ploy. According to Consumerist.com, back in 2009, Kellogg’s backed off similar immunity claims on its Rice Krispies cereals.
This sort of misleading marketing is disturbingly becoming more commonplace. As I’ve said many times before, I don’t begrudge people the right to eat or drink anything they like. The bottom lime is that we can’t condone corporations misrepresenting the health claims of products. So the question remains: What is Mott’s going to do about it?
For now, Dr. Pepper Snapple has declined to comment other than to say “that we stand by the claims made on our packaging.”
What I’m learning from your food company greenwashing pieces lately is that if there’s a health claim on the front, chances are the nutritional info/ingredients on the back tell a totally different story.
It does seem to say that doesn’t it? It’s so disheartening to see companies continue to try and mislead consumers.
Seriously. Thank goodness there are folks like you out there spreading the truth!