You Mean Vitaminwater isn’t just Vitamins and Water?
I ran across this article from Eat, Drink and Be about a pending lawsuit filed by the health advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, who say the drink label on Vitaminwater is misleading to consumers. Coca Cola (who owns Vitaminwater) tried to have the case dismissed out of court but the judge decided it would proceed. I have to laugh and nod at this lawsuit for all the reasons you might think. Yes, companies shouldn't mislead people into thinking they are buying a cow if the thing is barking like a dog. But as a consumer I have to say "Whaaaaat?" I mean really. I know most of what is out there on store shelves is just a bunch of crap with really good marketing. McDonalds tries to make me think their McSalad is healthy and Wendy's tries to make me think their loaded baked potato is a better choice. Even Planet Smoothie wants me to believe that I'm just buying myself a few servings of fruit. It's all about PR and Marketing and commercials and advertising and getting people in the door or the money out of their wallet. I understand it. I embrace it. That's how business works. We live in a world run by marketing.
But I also know that I am smart enough to realize that just because something says "vitamins" on it doesn't necessarily mean its JUST vitamins. Coca Cola is a huge corporation and I've even purchased Vitaminwater before. Not because I thought I was buying vitamins and water. Because its a tasty beverage. I'm pretty sure the Center for Science doesn't give consumers enough credit to know the difference. However, I do think large companies have a responsibility to people to be truthful about their products. Sometimes fine print isn't enough. I don't think this warrants that Coca Cola change the name of the product though... they have already built a brand and I think most people know what they're buying (I hope). But they could be clearer on the label that there is also sugar , and lots of it. 32.5 grams in one 20-ounce bottle to be exact.
The lawsuit claims their labeling violates the FDA's requirements. I doubt this will progress father than a settlement but we shall see. Read Eat, Drink and Be's article on the subject.
They Said Stuff!
Vitamin SugarWater!! It’s catchy, dude. I’m just sayin’.
Hence why they also have Vitamin Water ZERO, which uses sugar substitute and has 0 calories. I don’t buy it often but will every once in a while. I’m trying to not eat much processed or chemically induced (that sounds so psychedelic) foods but, especially in the summer when I’m just so tired of paying $1.50 for a plain water that’s gone in 2 seconds, I will sometimes pick up Vitamin Water Zero or something else that I try to find without aspartame. I think it’s ridiculous that people are dumb enough to have to be held by the hand to read a label. YES, there are some labels that are totally misleading but to be honest this particular product is pretty out there that it contains vitamins & juices with water to create their flavor and a simple turn of the bottle tells you the calories alone must mean it’s not JUST WATER! Also, a glance to either side & chances are you will find a ZERO version (although not in many flavors) so really it’s a bit ridiculous to attack this brand, I agree. Besides, when are we going to start taking responsibility for our own fat butts? Nobody forces foods on us, it’s up to us (especially in this day of age where we are the information society) to figure out what we are eating BEFORE we put it in our guts!
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