CONTENTS: Aspartame/AminoSweet & Other Artificial Sweeteners | Toxins in Coke | Coke's Payoffs to Doctors | Obesity | Phosphoric Acid | Coke's Vitamin Hoax | Health-Related Sites
There is no health in Coca-Cola beverages regarding human rights, the environment or your health! Coca-Cola remains under fire for producing unhealthy products that are fueling the obesity and diabetes epidemic throughout the world because of the high sugar and caloric content.
Phosphoric Acid in Coca-Cola and Diet Coke has been shown to destroy bones by contributing to osteoporosis and destroying teeth. Aspartame, now known as AminoSweet, has been linked to numerous diseases and health problems. In addition, there are food dyes and other chemical additives in Coke products that are known carcinogens. Due to the mass marketing and consumption of Coke products, millions are addicted to these products due to the caffeine, sugar and aspartame.
Coke is also guilty of marketing some products as "healthy" such as VitaminWater and Evigna. Experts consider these claims as false advertising and there are current lawsuits against Coke because of their VitaminWater advertising.
In the United States, because of public pressure, Coca-Cola has had to less aggressively market their products to children. However, around the world, the company continues to push their products to addict children where that pressure does not exist. To Coke executives and board members, profits take precedence over morality, ethics and the well-being of children.
Like the cigarette companies, Coke circumvents attempts to protect young people whose health is jeopardized by these products. Perhaps there should be a warning similar to the one on cigarette packages: "Coke Products May Be Hazardous To Your Health."
"Coroner Links Mom's Death to Coke 'Addiction'" by Katie Moisse, ABC New,| Feb. 13, 2013
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"A New Zealand coroner has linked the death of a 31-year-old woman to her Coca-Cola addiction.
"Natasha Harris died Feb. 25, 2010 from a cardiac arrhythmia, according to a 19-page coroner's report obtained by ABCNews.com. And while Harris, a mother of eight from Invercargill, New Zealand, was known to smoke heavily and skip multiple meals, coroner David Crerar concluded that the sugar and caffeine she got by drinking more than 2.6 gallons of Coca-Cola Classic per day was 'a substantial factor" in her death.' "
"Why Coke is a Joke--New Ad Campaign Defends Aspartame," Top Information Post, Dr. Mercola, August 29,2013
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"Center for Science in the Public Interest's (CSPI) Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson issued the following statement in response to Coca-Cola's new ad:
" 'Aspartame has been found to cause cancer — leukemia, lymphoma, and other tumors--in laboratory animals, and it shouldn't be in the food supply.
" 'We certainly want Coca-Cola to shift its product mix toward lower- and no-calorie drinks, but aspartame's reputation isn't worth rehabilitating with this propaganda campaign. The company would be better off phasing out its use of aspartame and accelerating its research into safer, natural sweeteners such as those extracted from the stevia plant.' "
"Fat Chance: Diet Coke Fights Obesity?" by Katherine Paul and Ronnie Cummins, Organic Consumers Association, August 28, 2013
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"... the company that donated $1.7 million to defeat last year's GMO labeling initiative in California has gone from laughable to dangerous. In the wake of declining sales of its Diet Coke brand, Coke has rolled out an ad campaign carefully and deceptively crafted to convince consumers that aspartame, the artificial sweetener (whose patent was at one time owned by Monsanto) in Diet Coke, is a "healthy alternative" to sugar...
"The link between aspartame and increased weight gain is old news. So is the fact that aspartame, far from being a 'healthy alternative' to sugar or anything else, has for years been the focus of studies declaring it unequivocally unhealthy, and suggesting that it has no place in our food supply. Aspartame has been linked to brain cancer and to the accumulation of formaldehyde, known to cause gradual damage to the nervous system, the immune system and to cause irreversible genetic damage at long-term, low-level exposure...
"Coke is 'testing' its new ad campaign in Chicago and Atlanta. Let's tell Coca-Cola's CEO, Muhtar Kent, and other executives at Coke, that we don't appreciate their new ad campaign, and we'd like them to pull it immediately. Ads intended to pass for 'scientific articles' are an insult to our intelligence and a threat to the health of consumers."
"Take Action: Tell Coke to Stop Running Ads Claiming that Diet Coke and Aspartame are Healthy"
Organic Consumers Association, August 28, 2013
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Please sign this letter (lined). Tell Coke: Stop Running Ads Claiming that Diet Coke and Aspartame are Healthy
"The new campaign, being tested in the Atlanta and Chicago markets, takes the form of full-page advertisements disguised as public service announcements. The message? Aspartame is perfectly safe. It's better for you than sugar. Drinking Diet Coke will help you stay thin and healthy.
"It's not true. Multiple studies, including one published in 2010 by the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine have concluded just the opposite. Aspartame, they say, actually contributes to weight gain by stimulating your appetite.Other studies have revealed that aspartame increases carbohydrate cravings and stimulates fat storage and weight gain.
"Not only does aspartame lead to weight gain, but it's also far from being a 'healthy alternative' to sugar or anything else. For decades, aspartame has been the focus of studies declaring it unequivocally unhealthy, and suggesting that it has no place in our food supply. Aspartame has been linked to brain cancer and to the accumulation of formaldehyde, known to cause gradual damage to the nervous system, the immune system and to cause irreversible genetic damage at long-term, low-level exposure."
Soda: Is The Fizz Killing Us? - Facts & Infographic
"Aspartame Pathway" by Dr. Mercola, February 29, 2013
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"... research suggests this artificial sweetener (aspartame) may be implicated in health risks ranging from cancer to seizures and even death."
"Study: Diet Soda Increases the Risk of Diabetes. Why Do We Still Drink This Stuff?" by Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Shine, February 8, 2013
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"Yet another study confirms what people have been saying for ages: Stop drinking diet soda. Like, right now. Drinking just one 12-ounce can of an artificially sweetened fizzy drink per week can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 33 percent, French researchers found. And given that most people don't stop at a single weekly serving, your real risk for diabetes could actually be much higher."
"Aspartame's neurological side effects include blurred vision, headaches, seizures and more" by: Aurora Geib, Natural News, March 14, 2012
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"The Rumsfeld Plague: Aspartame Brings Horror (Opinion)" by: Hesh Goldstein, Natural News, August 15, 2009
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Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods.
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"Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain."
And in Health Issues, place both articles, "Drinking this 'Popular Poison" and "Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous..." AFTER the heading: Aspartame/AminoSweet and other Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame officially changes name to AminoSweet (if you drink coke/diet pop watch this). Apartame's name was officially changed to AminoSweet to deceive consumers.
Aspartame’s Name Changed to Amino Sweet: A Toxin By Another Name is Still a Toxin, Natural Society, April 10, 2014
Natural Society has been talking about the dangers of Aspartame for quite some time now. It is a dangerous artificial sweetener found in many of the foods we consume every day, including soft drinks, chewing gum, breakfast cereals, and jams. Now, it's important to know that aspartame may be disguised as a new name in your favorite foods — aminosweet.
Used as a sugar substitute and often marketed as Nutrasweet and Equal, aspartame is an excitotoxin that destroys the brain and body. Its use has been a controversial subject since the 1980s when the CEO of Searle, Donald Rumsfeld, pushed for it's approval to be sold on the market. Now, its name is being changed, with FDA approval, to try to dupe millions into purchasing and consuming this toxin once again.
The following is an email we received in April 2010. We are including the email in both the aspartame and phosphoric acid since studies have shown that both additives deplete calcium from the human body:
"My wife is now totally disabled from drinking Diet Coke for over 30 years. Her doctor advised us her disability is due to the habit-forming sugar substitute the Company uses. My wife is only 58 years old and has had two surgeries in the last two years in an attempt to straighten her spine. Over the years her Diet Coke intake increased from one or two cans a day to eight to ten cans a day.
"She had no idea how much damage Diet Coke was doing to her muscles and bones. About three years ago, she developed a pain in her lower back. After having an MRI and CT scan the Doctor noticed L4 and L5 were slightly out of line and suggested she see a spine specialist. It took roughly four months to get in to see the specialist. During that four-month time span, her entire spine fell apart. In just four months, my wife went from having a slight pain to a wheelchair. In the last three years, she has had two operations trying to help align the spine.
"According to her doctor, the artificial sugar Coke puts in their drinks is extremely habit forming and destroys the bone density. She has had two 13-hour surgeries in the last three years, but is still disabled to a point where her waist and head are parallel to the floor.
"I am sure the Coke Company knows what their drink can do to people, but chooses to not issue a warning to those that are following the same path as my wife.
"If you are aware of any class action law suits against Coke regarding these health issues, would you please pass the information on to me? [you can email info@KillerCoke.org and we'll pass it on.]
"Diet Coke has ruined Teresa's (my wife's name) life and if someone doesn't stop Coke, they will do the same to all the other people out there that are unaware.
"Not only is her life a living Hell, but so is mine. We have insurance, but last year just co-pays and medications cost us over $52,000. I know Coke has done studies, but are not about to release the results.
Thanks for listening.
Dave Reddoch
DREDDOCH@aol.com"
Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods.
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"Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain."
And in Health Issues, place both articles, "Drinking this 'Popular Poison" and "Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous..." AFTER the heading: Aspartame/AminoSweet and other Artificial Sweeteners
"Diet soda tied to stroke risk, but reasons unclear" by MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer, February 9, 2011
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"It's far from definitive proof, but new research raises concern about diet soda, finding higher risks for stroke and heart attack among people who drink it everyday versus those who drink no soda at all.
"The beverage findings should be "a wakeup call to pay attention to diet sodas," said Dr. Steven Greenberg. He is a Harvard Medical School neurologist and vice chairman of the International Stroke Conference in California, where the research was presented on Wednesday..."
"Daily diet soda drinkers (there were 116 in the study) had a 48 percent higher risk of stroke or heart attack than people who drank no soda of any kind (901 people, or 35 percent of total participants). That's after taking into account rates of smoking, diabetes, waistline size and other differences among the groups."
"Diet Soda Linked To Higher Stroke Risk" by Zoe EB, HealthRelatedInfos.com, February 10, 2011
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"Studying 2,564 people in New York revealed that people who said they drank diet sodas on a daily basis had a 61 percent higher chance of vascular events as opposed to those who didn't drink the beverages."
"Diet soda may raise odds of vascular events; salt linked to stroke risk,"
American Stroke Association, February 9, 2011
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Study Highlights:
Associated Press, "Venezuela: Coca-Cola Zero has harmful sweetener," By Fabiola Sanchez, June 12, 2009
"Venezuela's Health Ministry said Friday it banned sales of Coca-Cola Zero because the company failed to declare that the no-calorie soft drink uses an artificial sweetener allegedly harmful to health. Health officials
said tests show the cola contains sodium cyclamate. Coca-Cola Co. disputes that, saying the product sold in Venezuela uses different artificial sweeteners, Acesulfame-K and Aspartame. (see below re: aspartame)"
Financial Times, "Venezuela bans Coke Zero, citing 'harmful' ingredients," By Benedict Mander in Caracas, June 11, 2009
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"Health minister Jesus Mantilla said the zero-calorie drink 'should be withdrawn from circulation to preserve the health of Venezuelans,' while the government investigated its ingredients which it said could be 'harmful'."
Coke has used sodium cyclamate in its drinks in some parts of the world. While not allowed to use it in the U.S., the company was using the artificial sweetener in Mexico until about a year ago. However, replacing cyclamates with aspartame is not a solution (see the piece by Betty Martini below).
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "ZERO TO ZERO IN MEXICO: Same name, new sweetener: After protest, Coke publicly dumps cyclamates," By Jeremy Schwartz, March 13, 2008
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"Coca-Cola has reformulated the Mexican version of Coke Zero, removing a controversial artificial sweetener that is banned in the U.S. and caused an outcry from consumer advocates in Mexico.
"The company said the change will give the diet drink a taste closer to that of Coca-Cola Classic and had nothing to do with concerns over sodium cyclamate [the usual Coke Co. denial], a sweetener banned in the U.S. 39 years ago by the Food and Drug Administration after lab findings suggested it posed a cancer risk."
"Coke's Aspartame Campaign to Bring You Pain Gets Award," By Dr. Betty Martini
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"...That word is aspartame, and [Coke's] only recourse is denial, denial, denial, though every ad and commercial builds higher the scaffold upon which Coke shall surely hang. Reality is in that twisted Diet Coke can. It's poison. It's killing the unborn, raining tumors and seizures on the population, destroying children, incapacitating workers, mimicking MS, erasing memory and blinding. Inexorably Diet Coke visits a plague of 92 symptoms listed by our FDA on a secret report they'll never show that names diet soda as the top cause of aspartame disease. And yes, Death was one of the 92.
"Diet Coke is poison! And it's addictive; some victims drink several liters a day and keep it on their nightstands. If Coke changes the formula to remove aspartame the world will heal and the surge of hatred and vengeance by the disabled and bereaved shall certainly destroy Coca Cola.
"The poison in Diet Coke is aspartame. As a member of the National Soft Drink Association, Coke opposed FDA approval of aspartame for beverages. Their objections, running to several pages published in the Congressional record of 5/7/85, said aspartame is uniquely and inherently unstable and breaks down in the can. It decomposes into formaldehyde, methyl alcohol, formic acid, diketopiperazine and other toxins. In a test on 7 monkeys 5 had grand mal seizures and one died, a casualty rate of 86%.
"Coke knew; and knowing, broke their good faith contract with customers, a breach shown by their English plot to program vending machines to kite the price with the temperature. Dissatisfied with selling flavored sugar water plus phosphoric acid, they switched to pushing an addictive formula called "Diet". Addiction multiplies consumption, so Diet Coke soared off the sales charts, spreading obesity. We're fatter because aspartame suppresses serotonin and makes us crave carbohydrates."
Click above or click here to see video on Donald Rumsfeld's involvement in FDA approval of aspartame on YouTube. Also on Google Video.
PinoyPress, "Aspartame: Sweet, Sweet Poison," By Carlos H. Conde, November 25, 2008
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"Reading all the stuff about aspartame could make your head explode. But what convinced me that aspartame is not safe are not just the studies that have found its link to cancer but also the efforts of Donald Rumsfield and Searle/Monsanto in ramming this product down our throats. Monsanto, as you know, is the world's leading producer of genetically modified products - another innovation that many are convinced has already wrought havoc on human life and the ecosystem - and uses not just money and influence but also threat and intimidation on those who go against it, as this Vanity Fair investigative report makes clear. Indeed, Monsanto's track record alone is enough to convince me that this product can kill me."
Scoop Independent News-Health (New Zealand), "Aspartame Research Needed, Not Coca-Cola Soft Sell," November 26, 2007, Press Release: Soil and Health Association
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" 'Aspartame consumption has been linked to many health symptoms, including those expressed as ADHD, anxiety, depression, irritability, confusion, memory loss, insomnia, dizziness, migraines, cramps, abdominal pain, numbness or tingling of extremities, rashes, chronic fatigue, and personality changes. These same symptoms are increasingly expressed among our young people, and removal of aspartame may assist with a marked improvement in quality of life for some, their families and teachers.' "
Fox News, "Fox Nutrasweet Equal Aspartame," Video
Click above or click here to see video on the dangers of Aspartame
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Coke using banned U.S. sweetener in Mexico," By Jeremy Schwartz, August 28, 2007
"Consumer advocates here are blasting Coca-Cola over its use of a sweetener that's been banned in the United States since 1969, but is now an ingredient in the Mexican version of Coca-Cola Zero."
ABC News ran a story as a part of their Caffeine Nation series: "Are you addicted to Diet Soda?" The piece stated that a "new study suggests too much diet soda could mean health risks."
ABC News, "Caffeine Nation: Are You Addicted to Diet Soda?"
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The Zero Coke Movement
Click here for website
"Welcome to the Zero Coke movement...Waste, pollution and questionable nutrition are at the centre of Coke's business model. Drinks don't need cheesy theme songs, a posse of trucks, or plastic/aluminium containers. But thanks to companies like Coke, land is cleared and waste & pollution are created just to make sure people have sweetened, chilled beverages.
"All this in a world where one person in five has ZERO access to clean drinking water."
Dawn of a thirsty century, By Alex Kirby, BBC News, June 2, 2000
Read ArticleCo-op America's Real Money, "The Sinister Side of Soda: The unvarnished truth about how soda consumption affects your family's health, the environment, and communities around the world," By Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, January/February 2007
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"When it comes to the health effects of drinking soda, it's hard to separate fact from scary urban legend. Do sodas cause esophageal cancer? Can you get brain tumors from drinking too many diet sodas? Are there really 19 teaspoons of teeth-rotting sugar in each can? And just how much extra weight could you lose by kicking the can-a-day habit?
"Real Money dug deep to find the facts about soda consumption and how it affects your family's health, the environment, and communities around the world. Once you discover the true facts about soda, you may want to curb your consumption and, with our help, look for healthier alternatives."
Foodconsumer.org news release, "Enviga study casts doubt on calorie burning & weight-loss claims, Feb 12, 2007
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"Six of the 31 participants actually burned up to 10 percent fewer calories after three days of consuming the ingredients in Enviga. 'If you follow Coke's and Nestle's logic, then about one in five consumers will eventually get fatter from drinking Enviga every day,' said CSPI senior nutritionist David Schardt. 'They've been withholding this information from their customers.' "
Reuters, "Conn. attorney general wants proof Enviga burns calories," By Jessica Wohl, February 5, 2007
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Nutraingredients-USA, "Coke and Nestle Enviga lawsuit filed," By Lorraine Heller, February 2, 2007
"Drinks giants Coca-Cola and Nestle have this week been officially slapped with a lawsuit for claiming their new Enviga energy drink can help consumers burn off calories."
Read Article in Business Week
The Age, "Coke in hot water over 'diet-aid' tea," Julian Lee and Vanda Carson, January 8, 2007
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"They should have called this drink Fleece, since that's what they're trying to do to consumers," he [Michael Jacobson, the executive director of Centre for Science in the Public Interest] said at the time of the law suit. "Plain old tap water has zero calories, five calories fewer than Enviga, but unlike Enviga, tap water doesn't cost $15 a gallon."
Hartford Courant, "So-called health soda sparks vigorous debate," By Joann Klimkiewicz, January 1, 2007
"The center charges Enviga is falsely marketing itself as a weight-loss product. The group contends the product's claims are paper-thin and based on an unpublished study it calls short-term, weak and inconsistent - much of that research, it notes, is funded by Coke and Nestle..."
CalorieLab Calorie Counter News, "The Enviga Code: The coming of the Anti-Coke," By Robert S. Wieder, January 1, 2007
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"It is probably not coincidental that Coca-Cola's introduction of Enviga comes amid (1) the release of studies demonstrating that the consumption of sugary soft drinks goes hand in hand with increasing rates of childhood and adolescent obesity, and (2) growing pressure to limit the availability of those drinks in public schools.
"The fact is, if Coke were motivated by altruism or a concern for the public health, the company would simply start producing and selling Enviga in place of its current mega-cal drinks. The actual point of Enviga is just the opposite."
ABC News, "A New Beverage Boasts Negative Calories, But It May Be Marketing Hype Rather Than Science," By Sheila Marikar, December 29, 2006
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" 'This is all marketing hype based on small measured increases in metabolism from green tea. When tested on patients, green tea does not produce measurable weight loss, probably because if it boosts your metabolism you eat more to compensate,' said Dr. Darwin Deen of Albert Einstein College of Medicine's department of family medicine and community health...
U.S. Newswire, "'Calorie Burning' Enviga Tea Drink a Fraud, Group Says; CSPI to Sue Coke, Nestle if Weight Loss Claims Persist," By Center for Science in the Public Interest, December 4, 2006
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The Ecologist, "Aspartame," By Pat Thomas
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"Aspartame is the most controversial food additive in history. The most recent evidence, linking it to leukaemia and lymphoma, has added substantial fuel to the ongoing protests of doctors, scientists and consumer groups who allege that this artificial sweetener should never have been released onto the market and that allowing it to remain in the food chain is killing us by degrees."
SF Gate, "Tab Energy Kills You Dead: The famously toxic retro cola nails women with a new, pink energy drink. Because you love it," By Mark Morford, March 8, 2006
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"Caffeine, of course, is key. It is our favorite drug, meth for the masses. A basic can of Coke has about 45 mg of the world's most beloved drug. A good cup of strong coffee has about 80 milligrams. The average sickly sweet, fizzy energy drink, from Tab Energy to Monster to Liquid Ice to Rockstar, has anywhere from 100 to 200. And they all taste like some nasty Frankenstein inbreed of liquefied Skittles, road chalk and the blood of dead moths."
Free-Market News Network, "PROPHET TALK: ANTI-ASPARTAME ARGUMENT IN FULL," November 29, 2005
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Colombia Indymedia, "Ajinomoto, Aspartame & Brain Tumors: Recipe for Death," By Betty Martini, Sept. 3, 2005
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"Say It Ain't So — A Can of Soda a Day Can Increase the Risk of Cancer for Men by 40 Percent?
"A new medical study poses huge questions for the future of soft drinks."
January 18, 2013
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"The important take away from our study is that habitual consumption of soft drinks may be linked to an increased risk of pancreatic cancer," Noel Mueller, University of Minnesota School of Public Health Ph.D. student and first author on Pereira's study, told AlterNet. "In response to any criticisms, I'd like to point out that our results align with a recent Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health meta-analysis of studies on this topic, including ours, which found that soft drink consumption was indeed positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk."
"Will Anti-BPA Campaigns Eat Into Coca-Cola Stock?" By Emily Knapp , Wall Street Cheat Sheet,July 04 2011
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"...Coca-Cola might be trying to poison its customers with calories and carbonation, but they just don't believe that BPA poses any health risk, despite the National Toxicology Program's (NTP) 2008 report warning of harm to the human brain and reproductive system. Instead, Coca-Cola has decided to place exclusive faith in the Food and Drug Administration's report stating that BPA, at its current levels of exposure, is safe. Of course, that report has been challenged by the FDA's own science board, who question whether an adequate analysis was made."
"The Real Story Behind Bisphenol A" BY: DAVID CASE, Fast Company, February 1, 2009
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"...What we learned was shocking. To some degree, the BPA controversy is a story about a scientific dispute. But even more, it's about a battle to protect a multibillion-dollar market from regulation. In the United States, industrial chemicals are presumed safe until proven otherwise. As a result, the vast majority of the 80,000 chemicals registered to be used in products have never undergone a government safety review. Companies are left largely to police themselves.
"...But consider this: Of the more than 100 independently funded experiments on BPA, about 90% have found evidence of adverse health effects at levels similar to human exposure. On the other hand, every single industry-funded study ever conducted — 14 in all — has found no such effects."
The Real Reason Why Coca-Cola Isn't Ditching Bisphenol A by Lloyd Alter,Treehugger.com, April 29, 2011
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"It's possible that Coca-Cola has asserted its position on BPA so many times that it's fearful of what will happen if it reverses. And it's true, basically admitting they've been poisoning us all these years might not go over so well. But that still won't make it any less true."
"Why Coca-Cola Isn't Ditching BPA" BY ARIEL SCHWARTZ, Fast Company, April 28, 2011
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"Nutrition experts call for health product regulatory overhaul" by Sarah Schmidt, POSTMEDIA NEWS, JANUARY 23, 2011
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"The amount of vitamin A in Coca-Cola's fruit drink is well above Heath Canada's recommended daily intake. In fact, it hits the government's tolerable upper intake level for adults. That maximum daily level was established after evidence showed that consuming more of vitamin A in the retinol form -- the type contained in this drink -- may cause liver abnormalities and, if consumed by pregnant women, birth defects."
"Cancer fear over cola colourings: Call to ban ingredient used in Coke and Pepsi" by SEAN POULTER, Daily Mail, 17th February 2011
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" 'The caramel colouring used in Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other foods is contaminated with two cancer-causing chemicals and should be banned,' said the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a health lobby group based in Washington, DC.
" 'In contrast to the caramel one might make at home by melting sugar in a saucepan, the artificial brown colouring in colas and some other products is made by reacting sugars with ammonia and sulphites under high pressure and temperatures.
" 'Chemical reactions result in the formation of two substances known as 2-MI and 4-MI which in government-conducted studies caused lung, liver, or thyroid cancer or leukaemia in laboratory mice or rats.' "
Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Food Dyes," July, 2010
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Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks
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According to a June 2010 report, "Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks," by Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), food dyes found in snacks, other foods and beverages, pose risks of cancer, hyperactivity in children and allergies and should be banned. The report found that three of the most used dyes - Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 - are contaminated with known carcinogens.
As reported by Corporate Crime Reporter (July 5, 2010), Coca-Cola's Fanta orange soda sold in Britain "gets its bright color from pumpkin and carrot extract," but in the United States, the color comes from Red 40 and Yellow 6.
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Care2.com, "Have a Coke and a Smile? Maybe Not: Coke Disses BPA-Worried Shareholders," By Cynthia Samuels, May 5, 2010
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"At Coca-Cola's annual shareholders' meeting last month, nearly a quarter of them called on the beverage behemoth to come clean about its use of bisphenol-A (BPA) in the linings of its cans. These concerned investors voted for a resolution urging Coke to make public how it is responding to the growing public anxiety over its use of the toxic, gender-bending chemical. Coke thinks shareholders don't need to know - even though they asked. Coke, being Coke, decided that this wasn't information that those who invest in the company should be privy to."
Coca-Cola Shareholders Spurred by Conscience or Profit?
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"Coca-Cola shareholders...are aware of public concern regarding the safety of Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in the epoxy lining of Coca-Cola's canned beverages... BPA is an endocrine disruptor that interrupts hormones and has been linked with breast cancer, prostate cancer, hyperactivity and other metabolic and behavioral problems in lab animals."
FoodQualitynews.com, "Coca-Cola dismisses BPA criticisms as shareholder coalition vows to fight on," By Rory Harrington, April 22, 2010
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"Some 22 per cent of Coca-Cola shareholders yesterday voted in favour of a resolution urging the company to disclose how it is responding to public fears over bisphenol A (BPA) used in the linings of Coke's beverage cans. But in a statement sent to FoodProductionDaily.com prior to the vote at its annual meeting, the soft drinks giant dismissed the proposal, saying it did not think the information requested 'would be useful to our shareholders' ".
Democracy Now!, "Study Links Corn Syrup to Toxic Mercury," January 29, 2009
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"another story involving food safety has just come to light. A pair of new studies has revealed traces of toxic mercury can be found in many popular foods containing high-fructose corn syrup. The sweetener has become a widely used substitute for sugar in processed foods, including many items marketed to children. Items found to contain mercury include Hershey's chocolate syrup, Smucker's strawberry jelly, Hunt's tomato ketchup, Coca-Cola Classic, Quaker Oatmeal to Go, Nutri-Grain strawberry cereal bars. Mercury is considered toxic in all forms, particularly dangerous for children." [This includes Coca-Cola Classic]
Report: High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury
Web site of Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
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Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, "Not So Sweet: Missing Mercury and High Fructose Corn Syrup," January 26, 2009
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Press Release, "Much High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury, New Study Finds," January 26, 2009
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Table A: Total mercury detected in 55 brand-name foods and beverages high in HFCS
Table A: Total mercury detected in 55 brand -name foods and beverages high in HFCS [including Coca-Cola Classic]
"Two new papers look at the presence of mercury in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). An article in Environmental Health finds mercury in commercial HFCS. An IATP study finds mercury in common foods and beverages [including Coca-Cola Classic]."
Tampabay 10 (Associated Press), "Coca-Cola sued over cancer-causing benzene," August 25, 2006
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Arkansas Democrat Gazette (Bloomberg News): "Benzene litigator aiming at Coke"
Global Politician, "Benzene in Soft Drinks: A Question of Standards," By Ross E. Getman, June 12, 2006
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YNetNews, "Lawsuit: Coca Cola drinks may cause cancer," By Vered Luvitch, April 3, 2006
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"In request to file NIS 200 million class action suit plaintiff claims Fanta brand soft drinks contain ingredient that may cause cancer and are not suitable for drinking. Coca Cola: Our products undergo strict quality assurance process."
For your Information:
To carry Coca-Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly corrosive materials.
Alternet, "Hard Times for Soft Drinks," By Michael Blanding, March 13, 2006
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Belleville News Democrat, "FDA finds benzene in soda, but says it's only a small amount," By David Goldstein, March 4, 2006
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Beverage Daily, "Authorities under pressure over benzene in soft drinks," By Chris Mercer, March 3, 2006
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Health24.com, "cancer in a Can," By Carine van Rooyen, March 2, 2006
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UConn Free Press, "Give Up the Coke: Drinking Soda Is Hazardous To Our Health," By Elise Kesseli, February 27, 2006
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This article came out before it was announced that there is benzene in many sodas.
Daily Mail, "Junk food ads to be banned from kids' TV," BY Sean Paoulter, March 27, 2006
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Beverage Daily, "UK food watchdog finds benzene in soft drinks, By Chris Mercer, January 3, 2006
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"Benzene is listed as a cancer-causing chemical by health authorities, though the industry has said it is a question of quality, not health, in drinks. Laming said the possibility for ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate to form benzene was 'not a surprise in the soft drinks industry'." Aspertame, found in diet sodas, is also considered a cancer-causing chemical.
Beverage Daily, "Soft drinks industry pledges to tackle benzene in drinks," By Chris Mercer, February 27, 2006
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"America's soft drinks association said it would have to look again at benzene in drinks, after new tests revealed to BeverageDaily.com suggest it and food safety authorities failed to stamp out a problem."
Appetite for Profit, "Family doctors debate if they should take Coke money, after they took it," By Michele Simon, July 22, 2010
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"Dr. Howard Brody, AAFP member and director of the Institute for the Medical Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He's not in favor of the idea: The physician has a duty to prescribe medications or make dietary recommendations based on scientific evidence. The companies have an interest in selling more beverages, or more drugs, regardless of the evidence."
Kansas City Star, "Marriages of convenience: Medical groups join with food companies," By Rick Montgomery and Alan Bavley, October 31, 2009
"The two organizations last month sealed a deal that had Coca-Cola giving the academy a grant in the mid six figures to come up with health messages for the public about beverages and sweeteners. The academy and Coca-Cola said the information would be based on objective science. But doctors, nutrition experts and consumer advocates charge that Coca-Cola is proffering the money just to improve its reputation and possibly to buy the academy's silence." z
Contra Costa Times, "Coca-Cola link spurs Contra Costa doctors to quit national association," By Sandy Kleffman, October 28, 2009
"Nearly 20 Contra Costa County physicians resigned in disgust Wednesday from a national professional association because of its alliance with the Coca-Cola Co., which they said conflicts with their fight against obesity.
" 'I am appalled and ashamed of this partnership between Coca-Cola and the American Academy of Family Physicians,'" said Dr. William Walker, director of health services for the county. " 'How can any organization that claims to promote public health join forces with a company that promotes products that put our children at risk for obesity, heart disease and early death?' "
Chicago Tribune, "Coke Partners with Doctors' Group," By Julie Deardorff, October 9, 2009
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"The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) announced this week that it will receive a six-figure grant from Coke to develop educational material to teach consumers about the role beverages and sweeteners can play in a healthy, active lifestyle, said AAFP president-elect Lori Heim...
"But some outspoken critics now wonder what those principles are. They call the partnership an embarrassing conflict of interest and say the venture will--and should--undermine the credibility of the AAFP, one of the leading family doctor groups in the U.S.
" 'For someone trying to lose weight, the first piece of advice is to cut out soft drinks, cold turkey,' said Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University, who called for dissenting AAFP members to make their voices heard. 'Will the AAFP's educational materials make that point? I doubt it. Expect to see 'all foods can be part of healthful diets' and averted eyes in conversations about taxing soft drinks,' she said."
"Coca-Cola Makes You Thin?" By Derek Beres, Huffington Post, January 22, 2013
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"You would think that half a century would be enough time for a company that brands itself as a nutritional innovator to keep up with the science, but in its new anti-obesity commercial, "Coming Together," Coke continues avoiding the real issues of obesity...
"There's a way to make the mayor's [NYC Mayor Bloomberg] lead even more effective: Stop purchasing products created by Coca-Cola until the company can be honest about what modern nutritional science is telling us. And yes, that includes putting down the Dasani and installing a filter onto your faucet."
"Coca-Cola Touts Role in Fighting Obesity — and Lobbies for Giant Sodas" By Matt Brownell, AOL Daily Finance, January 15, 2013
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"At the same time Coca-Cola is boasting about its smaller cans and diet offerings, it's fighting tooth-and-nail for the right to sell drinks in giant, calorie-packed servings."
"Video satire skewers Coke's polar bears" by Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY, Oct. 9, 2012
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"This is the video that Coca-Cola doesn't want you to see.
"Its famous Polar Bears are skewered — as is the whole soft-drink industry — in an anti-sugary-drink video to be released Wednesday. Behind it: Alex Bogusky, the culturally influ
ential ad legend whose former agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, has created ads for such hot-button clients as Burger King, Domino's and, yes, Coca-Cola.
"Bogusky left the agency world in disgust two years ago. Now, he's back in a new role: taking on the cola industry along with advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest. The move comes at a time big makers of sugary drinks are being challenged by legislators and consumers from New York to California. It's all about winning the viral PR war."
THE UNHAPPY TRUTH ABOUT SODA
It wasn't so bad when soft drinks were the occasional treat.
But now sugary drinks are the number one source of calories in the American diet.
With one third of America overweight and another third obese, it's a wonder
anyone is still swallowing what the soda companies are selling.
Watch video, "The Real Bears"
"Killer Colas: The Hard Truth About Soft Drinks" By Nancy Appleton
Buy Online
"It's as American as fast foods, ice cream, and candy bars. So why are people saying all those nasty things about soft drinks? The answer is simple: All those terrible things are true. And while the facts may be hard to swallow, it is high time we look at the damage that has been done by our long-running love affair with the beverage industry. In their new book, Killer Colas, Dr. Nancy Appleton and G.N. Jacobs provide a startling picture of a greedy industry hell-bent on destroying our country's health, no matter what the cost.
"Over the last twenty-five years, the sale of sodas, energy beverages, and sports drinks has exploded, as has the incidence of adult and childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and stroke. In Killer Colas, the authors detail why this downward spiral has occurred. They look at the history and growth of the soft drink industry from fountain shops to multinational mega-corporations; they examine the industry's powerful influence over the media; and they look at the addictive and harmful ingredients these companies have added to their formulas. The authors also offer scientific evidence that links our growing consumption of soft drinks with our declining health."
In the light of our country's health crisis, the consequences of our addiction to soft drinks can no longer be ignored. Killer Colas exposes the facts behind an addiction that is just as powerful and dangerous as our love of tobacco. Once you have read this book, you will never look at a soft drink in the same way.
"Super-size shock: Ad campaign links soda intake with amputations; Portions have grown, and so has Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to amputations"by Reuven Blau and Kevin Deutsch, New York Daily News, January 10, 2012
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"Those super-sized sodas you're drinking could lead to an amputation, a shocking ad campaign launched by the Health Department warns...
"Nearly 57 of New Yorkers are overweight or obese and about 10 have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, the Health Department said"
Are school administrators undermining the health of your student body by agreeing to exclusive contracts with Coca-Cola?
"Diet Soda Linked To Weight Gain" By Amanda Chan, Huffington Post, 6/29/11
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"A study presented at a American Diabetes Association meeting this week shows that drinking diet soda is associated with a wider waist in humans. And a second study shows that aspartame — an artificial sweetener in diet soda — actually raises blood sugar in mice prone to diabetes."
Softpedia, "Woman Talks Coca Cola Addiction, Being Overweight Because of It: Lisa McKay gained over 120kg, required gastric bypass to kick off her addiction," By Elena Gorgan, July 6, 2010
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"'It was difficult giving up drinking Coke. I was addicted to it and I had severe withdrawal symptoms after stopping. I was suffering from shakes. The gastric band operation was the best thing I've done. I haven't drunk a mouthful of Coke since and I never will again. I would buy a box of 30 cans of Coke and it would last me a day and a half. I didn't realize that there was so much sugar in Coke that would make me so fat. The more Coke I drank, the more hungry I became too,' "
Mirror, Mum kicks 20 Coca-Cola a day habit and loses 10 stone," By Matt Roper, July 7, 2010 Read Article
India Resource Center, "Exporting Junk Food - Good for Business, Bad for Health: If Junk Food is Bad for Americans, Are They Good for Indians and Chinese?" June 4, 2010
Read Artucle
"So it comes as a major disappointment that while companies like Pepsico, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle, Kraft Foods and the like have pledged commitments to reduce calorie intake and fight obesity in the US, these very companies are extremely busy ramping up their presence in the developing world, and China and India in particular...
But if high-fat, high-sugar and highly processed foods are bad for the health of Americans, are they any good for people in India and China? The answer, obviously, is a clear no. Increasing investments in the developing world by these peddlers of junk food is a clear case of double standards. While these companies are pledging to reduce calories in the US to tackle obesity, they are simultaneously expanding their markets - with junk food - in the developing world. Junk food is the last thing that China and India need - both countries are already experiencing startling growth in obesity and related health problems. A recent government survey in India found that more than 20 percent of urban Indians are overweight or obese. And India was, until recently, the diabetes capital of the world, according to the International Diabetes Federation, only to be overtaken by China."
Los Angeles Times, "Looking for health advice? Dr. Coca-Cola will see you now," By Karen Kaplan, October 22, 2009
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"The letter noted that soda is 'the only food or beverage that has been demonstrated to promote overweight and obesity.' But the signatories warned that the six-figure grant from Coca-Cola will prevent the doctors group from 'criticizing sugar-sweetened beverages in the strongest language.' "
Read Letter signed by 22 doctors
Los Angeles Times, "Junk-food tax idea is gaining weight," By Karen Kaplan, August 23, 2009
The New York Times, "Junking Fat Foods in Schools," Editorial, December 10, 2007
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"A worthy but imperfect amendment pending in Congress would help curb junk foods sold in too many of the nation's schools...So far, the farm bill is about as good for the American consumer as most of the confections in school vending machines...The people who make Mars bars, Frito-Lay chips and Coca-Cola also back the amendment. That's because it would not remove all junk food. It would allow diet drinks in high schools and require states like California, which currently bans them, to relent. Local districts would be allowed to impose tougher restrictions on the foods in their schools but states would not. The bill would also give industry a long time, until 2011, to adapt."
Food Week Online, " 'Jury' raps Coca-cola over ad campaign," December 10, 2007
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"A 'trial by jury' panel set up by The Parents Jury has returned a guilty verdict against Coca-Cola's marketing campaign that promotes Coca-Cola as a suitable accompaniment to the family dinner."
Center for Science in the Public Interest Press Release, "Groups Announce Global 'Dump Soda' Campaign," October 29, 2007
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"An international coalition of consumer organizations announced the formation of the Global 'Dump Soda' Campaign to call attention to the marketing of sugary soft drinks and other high calorie beverages linked to the world-wide childhood obesity crisis."
The Age, "Coke in the firing line as caffeine flunks the taste test," By Jill Stark, January 9, 2007
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"COCA-COLA has come under fire again for fuelling the childhood obesity crisis after Melbourne research found that adding caffeine — an addictive stimulant — does not enhance flavour. Soft drink companies say caffeine adds flavour to cola, but a scientific taste test conducted by Deakin University found consumers could not tell the difference between caffeine-free Coke and a version with caffeine. Head researcher Russell Keast said it was "unethical" for companies to use caffeine if it did not enhance flavour and could lead to young people becoming addicted to sugary drinks."
The Mercury News, "Food industry shares blame for obesity," By Ramon Castellblanch, September 14, 2006
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"Obesity now causes 400,000 deaths in the United States each year, according to the American Journal of Public Health. And a recent report by Trust for America's Health, a national health advocacy group, notes this toll is particularly high among low-income Americans.
"While there are a host of causes behind this epidemic, one of the leading factors is the profit-driven behavior of food manufacturers and sellers. Coca-Cola spent $2.2 billion pushing its syrupy beverages in 2004, according to the British medical journal, Lancet...To shift blame away from itself, the food industry uses a public relations script that focuses on personal responsibility. It suggests that if people are overweight, it's their own fault. It claims the industry is only responding to consumer demand. It insists that any government action to abate its practices is an attack on freedom."
Ananova, "Woman sues after drinking 5,000 litres of Coke," November 15, 2006
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"Miss Kashuba said she had become addicted to the drink as a result of a promotional offer that allowed consumers to swap Coca Cola caps for prizes."
"In a landmark ruling, two Russian courts agreed that Coca Cola had failed to warn of the potential health risks of drinking too much Coke and awarded Miss Kashuba £62."
Read Julia Havey's warning about this promotion by Coke in the News Tribune
Read Julia Havey's statement about MyCokeRewards
Earthtimes.org, "Obesity congress reopens debate over colas," By Anne Roberts, September 4, 2006
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"Increasing consumption of junk food may be to blame for obesity, but not half as much as sugary colas, a top expert on obesity warned at the 10th International Congress on Obesity in Sydney in Australia."
Read WNBC Article
Read Article by Julia Havey
The Boston Globe, "Report says sugary drinks pile on pounds," By Marilynn Marchione, August 8, 2006
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"An extra can of soda a day can pile on 15 pounds in a single year, and the "weight of evidence" strongly suggests that this sort of increased consumption is a key reason that more people have gained weight, the researchers say."
News Tribune, "St. Louis weight-loss instructor sues Coke over promotion," By Christopher Leonard, July 14, 2006
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"[Julia Havey's attorney] Watkins said he also would drop the suit if one of Coca-Cola's directors let his child drink 151 soft drinks on television."
The Common Voice, "Is Coca Cola guilty of deceptive advertising and violation of the FTC's contest rules?" By Julia Havey, June 24, 2006
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"Coca Cola in for a fight from health advocate Julia Havey!" By Julia Havey, July 2, 2006
"Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans' Health," By Michael F. Jacobson, Ph.D.
Read Interesting Analysis on this Subject: "MyCokeRewards Contest Impossible To Win Without Dying First"
"One of America's biggest diet vices are soft drinks. Now the Coca Cola Company is luring you to believe that you can win some spectacular prizes if you drink enough Coke There is one major problem with how they are hosting this contest: It is virtually impossible to win the top prizes if you follow the rules and guidelines. And if you did consume enough Coke to allow yourself a chance to win, you just might DIE! That's right, DIE!"
The New York Times, "Hazardous to Your Health, By Nicholas D. Kristof, April 11, 2006
Read article
"...we should ban sugary drinks from schools. As George Bray, an obesity expert at Louisiana State University, notes, 'Those "beverage contracts" that school districts have entered into to obtain money are equivalent to selling our children's health for school income.' "
"What's the bottom line on these drinks? An extra 100 calories a day, all things being equal, adds about five pounds a year to one's weight. For America as a whole, that amounts to an extra 750,000 tons of fat per year — so maybe it isn't the seas that are rising, but America that is sinking."
The New York Times, "To Some in Hartford, Coke Is a Real Evil Thing, By Stacey Stowe, April 7, 2006
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Read article by subscription in New York Times.
Eyewitness New: WFSB, "State Officials: Shame on Coke!
Read Story
San Francisco Chronicle, "Bill would cut junk food in schools: Obesity measure has bipartisan support in House and Senate," By Zachary Coile, April 7, 2006
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"A Government Accountability Office study last year found that 99 percent of high schools, 97 percent of middle schools and 83 percent of elementary schools have vending machines, school stores or snack bars that sell mostly unhealthy snacks and drinks. 'What this does is it undercuts almost $10 billion in annual taxpayer investments in nutrition and sound school meals,' Harkin said, referring to federal spending on free and reduced-price meals in public schools."
AMOnline.com, "Federal Legislation Seeks To Upgrade School Nutrition Standards," By Libby Quaid, April 7, 2006
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""When parents send their kids to school with lunch money, they shouldn't have to worry that the money will be spent on Flaming Cheetos and a Coke instead of on a balanced meal."
Guardian Unlimited, "World's top 25 food firms 'pathetic' in combating unhealthy diets: Study finds companies fail to live up to their pledges; Makers, retailers and restaurant chains accused," By Felicity Lawrence, April 4, 2006
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" 'Their performance is by and large pathetic," said Tim Lang, one of the authors of the report, The Food Industry: Diet, Physical Activity and Health. 'The companies that appear to be doing the most are the ones under intense pressure because their product ranges are the unhealthiest, but there is a whiff of desperation about what they are doing rather than long-term commitment to better food.' "
The New York Times, " Soda Sales Fall for First Time in 20 Years, By Melanie Warner, March 9, 2006
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The New York Times, "Nutrition: Study Links Sugary Drinks to Teenagers' Weight," By Eric Nagourney, March 7, 2006
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The Daily Times, "Sugars in soda, candy and cakes can increase a child's risk of obesity," By Greg Allen, March 6, 2006
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"Erosion is a problem that I am seeing more often in my practice. Even though diet soda contains artificial sugars that are not broken down by bacteria (unlike refined sugars), I still see erosive lesions on the teeth of diet soda drinkers. The acidity of soda is so strong that it actually breaks down teeth, almost like rust removers taking rust off a piece of metal. In fact, the type of acid found in most soda, phosphoric acid, can be used as a rust remover. This erosion process removes the calcium from the teeth, which results in a softened tooth that is weak.
"In addition to tooth erosion, recent studies looking at effects of soda consumption in young female athletes show the potential for increased broken bones in girls who drink soda on a daily basis."
Food Navigator, "Food industry not responsive to obesity, claims report: By not doing enough to tackle the growing obesity crisis, the food and beverage industry is storing up problems for the future, claims a new report. ," By Anthony Fletcher, March 6, 2006
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer (AP), "Soda targeted in fight against obesity," By Marilynn Marchione (AP Medical Writer), March 5, 2006
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Dallas News, "Just Say No — to Soda: Industry should get sugar out of schools," Editorial, March 8, 2006
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Brandweek, "Soda Share Shrinks for First Time in Decades," By Kenneth Hein, March 8, 2006
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The New York Times (Editorial), "Selling Junk Food to Toddlers," February 23, 2006
Read Editorial
This editorial mentions one of our allied organizations, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood.
Washington Post, "Regular Soda a Day Boosts Weight Gain: Non-Diet Drinks Also Increase Risk of Diabetes, Study Shows," 8/25/04
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Jeopardizing public health — could Coke face expensive lawsuits re: Phosphoric Acid?
Molab Ltd, "Osteoporosis and Cola: What Is the Truth," By R.H. Molony, Consulting Food Technologist, Analytical Chemist
Read Entire Article
Bob Molony from New Zealand wrote us: "The worst crime affecting the most people is promoting the product while failing to provide a health warning that the consumption of too much Coca-Cola will irrevocably cause osteoporosis and Coca-Cola knew about this prior to 1960." He further said: "My personal view is that it is hard to imagine a more irresponsible act than aggressively promoting the excessive consumption of a product without a warning and with full knowledge that this excess consumption would cause health problems for millions."
Molony is a chemist and food technologist with nearly forty years in the beverage and fruit processing industries, a former chief chemist for a large Coca-Cola franchised bottler and author.
"Over recent years there have been allegations that Cola beverage consumption has been contributing to the osteoporosis epidemic. The large beverage companies vigorously deny the allegation and have produced studies, which they claim disproves the allegation while on the other side the proponents of the allegation claim that research proves the allegation. One way to clarify the situation is to examine the chemistry of the process ...
"The large American beverage companies certainly knew about the potential bone problems in the late 1950s. However at that time the effect was of more theoretical than actual importance. This has been changed dramatically over recent times due changing dietary patterns and the aggressive Cola marketing campaigns. As a consequence in the US osteoporosis is now an increasing problem in young people in the late 20s to early 30s age group."
Bob Molony has also authored "What's Wrong with My Drink: An Introduction to the General Chemistry of Acid Beverages." Molony looks at the different components of wines and other beverages, how they behave during manufacture and in the bottle to produce the final product that the consumer drinks. While the book is intended for beverage manufacturers, it is also suitable for food and beverage science students.
The following is an email we received in April 2010. We are including the email in both the aspartame and phosphoric acid since studies have shown that both additives deplete calcium from the human body:
"My wife is now totally disabled from drinking Diet Coke for over 30 years. Her Doctor advised us her disability is due to the habit-forming sugar substitute the Company uses. My wife is only 58 years old and has had two surgeries in the last two years in an attempt to straighten her spine. Over the years her Diet Coke intake increased from one or two cans a day to eight to ten cans a day.
"She had no idea how much damage Diet Coke was doing to her muscles and bones. About three years ago, she developed a pain in her lower back. After having an MRI and CT scan the Doctor noticed L4 and L5 were slightly out of line and suggested she see a spine specialist. It took roughly four months to get in to see the specialist. During that four-month time span, her entire spine fell apart. In just four months, my wife went from having a slight pain to a wheelchair. In the last three years, she has had two operations trying to help align the spine.
"According to her doctor, the artificial sugar Coke puts in their drinks is extremely habit forming and destroys the bone density. She has had two 13-hour surgeries in the last three years, but is still disabled to a point where her waist and head are parallel to the floor.
"I am sure the Coke Company knows what their drink can do to people, but chooses to not issue a warning to those that are following the same path as my wife.
"If you are aware of any class action law suits against Coke regarding these health issues, would you please pass the information on to me? [you can email info@KillerCoke.org and we'll pass it on.]
"Diet Coke has ruined Teresa's (my wife's name) life and if someone doesn't stop Coke, they will do the same to all the other people out there that are unaware.
"Sincerely,"
For Your Information:
The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase in osteoporosis.
"Phosphoric Acid: Are You Eating Too Much? The Research Reviewed" by Abby Campbell Ph.D, HealthyButSmart.com, July 17, 2017
Read Article
"Cola drinks destroy bones in women, study," by Chris Mercer, BeverageDaily.com, October 6, 2006
Read Article
"UK Bans Coca-Cola Ad Showing You How To Burn Off Calories From Soda" by Chris Morran, Consumerist, July 22, 2013
Read Article
"Earlier this year, Coca-Cola began running TV ads here and in the UK showing you all the fun activities you could do to burn off the extra calories you consumed while chugging down a Coke. But regulators overseas have since banned one version of the ad saying it misled viewers into thinking they could work off a can of soda with a lot less exertion than is actually required."
"Coca-Cola likely to face class action" from Reuters, July 18, 2013
"A U.S. federal judge has recommended that Coca-Cola Co face a class action lawsuit accusing it of misleading consumers by overstating the health benefits of its Vitaminwater drink...
"The group accused Coca-Cola of deceptively marketing Vitaminwater as an alternative to water and sugared soft drinks that could promote healthy joints, boost the immune system and help people fight eye disease, among other health benefits."
"Coca-Cola Sued Over Sugar-Laden vitaminwater" By Dale Wannen | January 25th, 2013, TriplePundit.com
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"...After all, using the word "vitamin" in front of the name [Vitamin Water] surely implies that there is some nutritional or healthy value. It must be good for you, right? Wrong! These drinks hold about as much nutrition as that piece of lint in your pocket.
"In retaliation for this misinformation, the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest, is suing Coca-Cola (Coke bought Vitamin Water for over $4 billion in 2007) on the grounds that vitaminwater labels and advertising are filled with "deceptive and unsubstantiated health claims." vitaminwater contains about 33 grams of sugar, while Two Hostess Ding Dong cake snacks have about 36 grams of sugar. Instead of taking the silent plea here Coke attorneys are defending the lawsuit by stating that 'no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitamin water was a healthy beverage.' What!?"
The Vitamin Water Deception — exposes the truth behind Coca-Cola's non-healthy beverage
Fantastic exposé on Coca-Cola's Vitamin Water. While it's promoted as a healthy alternative to soft drinks, Coca-Cola tells the court that "No reasonable consumer could reasonable be mislead into thinking Vitamin Water was a healthy beverage."
Videos from the 2011 Coca-Cola Shareholders Meeting.
"What's Really in Your Greek Yogurt? 5 Surprising Ways Food Companies Cheat and Mislead Consumers
"Even the most savvy shopper could be persuaded by some of these false claims."
By Lauren Kelley, AlterNet.org
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"Vitaminwater ≠ vitamins + water.
"At first glance, Vitaminwater seems like it'd be somewhat healthy-ish - it comes in unnatural colors, yes, but the name suggests that the product is basically vitamin-infused water. Right? Wrong.
"In fact, Vitaminwater is a whole lot worse for you than water; the grape flavor contains 13 grams of sugar per 8-ounce serving, and lists crystalline glucose (sugar) as the second ingredient. (However, despite widespread claims on the Internet, it is not worse for you than regular soda. Coke contains closer to 30 grams of sugar in every 8 ounces. Natural fruit juices also often contain more sugar than Vitaminwater, though those are, of course, natural sugars.)
"If you ever bought into the Vitaminwater-as-health-drink craze, don't beat yourself up. It would be easy to do with all the misleading claims Vitaminwater's parent company, Glaceau (which is now owned by Coca-Cola), puts out there. The company was recently caught claiming on its UK Web site that Vitaminwater is 'spring water with fruit juice.' The company soon backtracked, acknowledging the 'incorrect description of the brand's ingredients.'
"As the Huffington Post notes, Vitaminwater has also been targeted for falsely claiming that its products can heal the flu, among other things."
"Coca-Cola VitaminWater mediation to be rescheduled" by Elaine Watson, Food Navigator, 12-Jul-2011
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"Mediation between Coca-Cola and The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) over legal challenges to Coca-Cola's VitaminWater range has been delayed following the launch of a new 'copycat' lawsuit against the soft drinks giant.
"The CSPI's lawsuit, which was filed in 2009 and brings together class actions in New Jersey, New York and California, alleges that Coca-Cola has misled consumers over the health benefits of VitaminWater."
"Health Canada expert wonders: what's in the water, Coca-Cola?" By Sarah Schmidt, Montreal Gazette, May 24, 2011
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"A top nutrition expert at Health Canada believes The Coca-Cola Company misleads consumers into thinking its vitaminwater line of drinks constitutes a healthy beverage option, internal records show...
" 'I find calling these products 'waters' is misleading, in particular, given that they have sugars added to them. Perhaps the word "waters" could be put in quotes,' according to the newly released correspondence, obtained by Postmedia News under access to information.
"After water, sugar is the most significant ingredient in vitaminwater in terms of quantity, containing the equivalent of about eight teaspoons of sugar in each individual bottle...
" 'The defendants deliberately omit to state the quantity of sugar contained within vitaminwater on bottle labels and market vitaminwater as a healthy source of beneficial dietary supplements. This marketing message is false because each bottle of vitaminwater contains similar amounts of sugar as other sugary soft-drinks and, therefore, consumption of one bottle of vitaminwater has the same potential adverse health effects as consumption of those other sugary soft-drinks,' according to the statements...
"...The company also argued that "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage."
"Vitamin Water Dangerous to Health" by Steve Rose, February 6th, 2011, World News Heard now
Read Article
"Vitamin Water actually contains the equivalent of six spoons of sugar and has a number of 125 calories. With this composition Vitamin Water becomes dangerous to consumers as high quantities of sugar can lead to diabetes, heart diseases and most surely obesity. "
"Why Coca-Cola Keeps Pushing Sugary Vitaminwater as 'Nutritious'" by Melanie Warner, BNET, January 24, 2011
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"An advertising watchdog group in the UK has ruled thatCoca-Cola's (KO) Vitaminwater, while it may be 'delicious,' is definitely not 'nutritious.' Which just goes to show that the mavericks running Vitaminwater's marketing departments don't really care how many times they get caught stepping over line into deceptive marketing.
"Coca-Cola banned from claiming its Vitaminwater brand is 'nutritious' | "Advertising watchdog upholds complaints that the product actually contains 23g of sugar" By Mark Sweeney, The Guardian, January 19, 2011
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"The advertising watchdog has banned Coca-Cola from claiming its Vitaminwater brand is "nutritious", after upholding complaints that the product actually contained 23g of sugar...
" 'We considered that consumers would understand the word "nutritious" in the context of the ad as a claim that Vitaminwater contained added ingredients that were needed by the body in order to stay healthy,' the ASA said. 'However, we considered that they would not expect a "nutritious" drink to have the equivalent of four or five teaspoons of added sugar.' "
MinnPost, "Coca-Cola's argument in "vitaminwater" lawsuit is exhibit 1 for corporate chutzpah," By Susan Perry August 11, 2010
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"In reality, of course, Coca-Cola's vitaminwater is essentially sugar water with some added vitamins. Adding the vitamins to the sugar water doesn't make it good for you, just as adding vitamins to a Snickers candy bar wouldn't make it good for you...And if it's vitamins you're after, then get them the very best way possible: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Several times a day. Day after day."
Packaging World, "Coca Cola sued for misleading consumers," By Jim Chrzan, August 10, 2010
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"This time a non-profit public interest watchdog, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, has alleged Coca Cola's latest health offering, vitaminwater '...is basically sugar-water, to which about a penny's worth of synthetic vitamins have been added. And the amount of sugar is not trivial. A bottle of vitaminwater contains 33 grams of sugar, making it more akin to a soft drink than to a healthy beverage,' according to a blog post by John Robbins, author of The New Good Life, Diet for a New America.
Natural News, "Vitaminwater revealed as non-healthy beverage by Coca-Cola's own lawyers (opinion)," by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, August 10, 2010
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"Do you ever wonder things like "Who is actually gullible enough to think that Vitaminwater is healthy?" Although that question may seem demeaning or even arrogant, it turns out that the Coca-Cola company (which owns the Vitaminwater brand) is essentially asking that exact question."
As Miami Heat star promotes Coca-Cola's VitaminWater, CSPI sues to challenge false product claims.
CrossFit Valley Park, "Don't Get Fooled Again!"
"Vitamin Water. It's difficult to imagine two words jammed together that sound healthier. Water. Hey, that's healthy! Vitamins. Even better. But lets not forget who writes this stuff. Madison Avenue - the juggernaut that invented the meaningless concept of "drinkability" - puts a deep understanding of human psychology to work in their effort to separate you from your money, and vitamin water is a great example.
"But don't fool yourself. Vitamin Water is simply a slick attempt to sell you sugar, in this case the impressive sounding "crystalline fructose," which is nothing more than crystallized corn syrup (yep, the stuff they use to make soda-pop).
"Here are two useful rules to help you avoid drinking cleverly disguised sugar solutions:
"1.) Avoid products that make health claims. Meat and vegetables require no endorsements or snappy names. They also do an excellent job providing vitamins and minerals. Get your nutrition from real food, the stuff without labels.
"2.) Don't drink your calories. It is simply too easy to consume excess calories when you drink them. Drink water when you are thirsty. Coffee and Tea have clear health benefits and almost no calories. Have some wine or beer in moderation, but make water your go-to drink."
Wikipedia: "Crystalline fructose is generally considered safe, but concerns have been raised about health effects, particularly hepatotoxicity. As of January 2010, the FDA has not designatedcrystalline fructose to be generally recognized as safe."
Examiner.com, "Coca-Cola admits in court that vitaminwater is not a healthy beverage," By Mark Rubi, July 29, 2010
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"Coca-Cola admits in court that vitaminwater is not a healthy beverage. Millions of consumers of Coca-Cola's heavily marketed vitaminwater brand drink are now dealing with the fact that despite numerous advertising claims to the contrary, the reality about the drink may be that it is little more than sugar-water fortified with a few vitamins...
"As to Coca-Cola's claims that "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage" — many critics are asking how many tens of millions of dollars did Coke spend trying to mislead those consumers if they could not reasonably be misled? Or another question making the rounds is this: Is it ok for product manufacturers to lie about their products if they claim that nobody believed their lies?"
Indianapolis Alternative Medicine Examiner, "Could vitaminwater lawsuit leave product all washed up?" By Becky Oberg, July 23, 2010
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" 'Plaintiffs' allegations sufficiently state a claim that defendants have violated FDA regulations by making health claims about vitaminwater even though it does not meet required minimum nutritional thresholds, by using the word "healthy" in implied nutrient content claims even though vitaminwater's fortification does not comply with FDA policy, and by using a product name that references only two of vitaminwater's ingredients, omitting the fact that there is a key, unnamed ingredient [sugar] in the product,' wrote Judge John Gleeson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York."
Complaint CSPI vs. Coca-Cola
Video, "VitaminWater Lawsuit"
Center for Science in the Public Interest, "Lawsuit Over Deceptive VitaminWater Claims to Proceed," July 23, 2010
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"WASHINGTON--A federal judge has denied Coca-Cola's motion to dismiss a lawsuit over what the Center for Science in the Public Interest says are deceptive and unsubstantiated claims on the company's 'vitaminwater' line of soft drinks. The company claims that vitaminwater variously reduces the risk of chronic disease, reduces the risk of eye disease, promotes healthy joints, and supports optimal immune function, and uses health buzz words such as 'defense,"rescue,"energy,' and 'endurance' on labels."
FoodConsumer, "Is This Popular Sports Drink [VitaminWater] as Damaging as Coca-Cola? By Dr. Mercola, July 17, 2010
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"It's very fitting that Coca-Cola owns the Vitaminwater brand, as this beverage is closer to soda than it is to water. And as you may remember, Coca-Cola was actually sued last year in a class-action lawsuit that contended the Vitaminwater line was being illegally promoted as a healthy product.
" 'Vitaminwater is Coke's attempt to dress up soda in a physician's white coat. Underneath, it's still sugar water, albeit sugar water that costs about ten bucks a gallon,' said litigation director Steve Gardner of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)."
Associated Press, "FDA warns Coca-Cola over nutritional claims," By Mattew Perrone, December 24, 2008
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"The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning letter to the company, objecting to the product's labeling, which describes the drink as 'Diet Coke with Vitamins and Minerals.' Regulators said the beverage does not have enough nutrients to justify the use of the word 'plus' in its name. According to the agency, foods labeled 'plus' must have at least 10 percent more nutrients than comparable products. Additionally, the FDA said it is inappropriate to add extra nutrients to 'snack foods such as carbonated beverages.' "
U.S. News & World Report, "Good Reasons to Avoid Diet Coke Plus, Weight-Loss Supplements," By Deborah Katz, December 24, 2008
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"The Food and Drug Administration has been busy this week, and I think what it is saying warrants a wake-up call -especially for women. Yesterday, the agency said it issued a warning letter to Coca-Cola noting that its Diet Coke Plus soft drink had nutritional claims that shouldn't be placed on an utterly nonnutritious soft drink. Those added vitamins and minerals don't make the beverage any more healthful than, say, Diet Pepsi, the FDA says."
theage.com.au, "The bitter-sweet truth about vitamin water," By Mark Russell, September 21, 2008
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"Vitamin and sports water drinks are so laden with sugar and caffeine that claims about their health-giving benefits should be taken with a grain of salt, nutritionists have warned.
"Consumer advocate group Choice says an unwitting public is being deliberately misled about the health benefits of enhanced water drinks, with some 500-millilitre varieties containing eight teaspoons of sugar, high levels of caffeine and a host of additives, including flavours and colours.
While it purported to be a healthy beverage, a 575-millilitre bottle of Nutrient Water contained seven teaspoons of sugar, she said, and Smart Water's 500-millilitre bottle had eight teaspoons. A 375-millilitre can of Coca-Cola contains 10 teaspoons of sugar."
Scienceline, "Is vitaminwater good for you?" By Christopher Intagliata, December 3, 2007
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"...vitaminwater's parent company, Glaceau (owned by Coca-Cola), markets the drink by emphasizing its nutritional value. Is there any science behind the marketing though?
" ...'The way that vitaminwater is marketed and positioned it's made to look more healthful than other sugary beverages, but it's not — it's still just a soft drink,' said Margo G. Wootan, Director of Nutrition Policy at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. 'It has this aura of healthfulness that is not deserved. Adding vitamins and minerals to junk food doesn't make it healthy.' "
Seattle Weekly, "Make Your Own Vitamin Water!" By Jonathan Kauffman, June 7, 2007
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"I consulted with nutritionists, naturopaths, and vitamin dealers to develop the following recipes, each the equivalent of a VitaminWater variety. With the purchase of a few easy-to-find household chemicals and some crystalline fructose, enterprising cooks and chemists will find the recipes simple to mix up for their hydration pak or hip flask. Of course, you're looking at an outlay of $60 or so for your first batch. But considering that the cheapest of these drinks costs $1.50 a bottle, you'll see a return on your investment in no time.
"However, when you weigh the benefits of buying and recycling a glass bottle of juice versus inflicting four 20-ounce plastic bottles of VitaminWater upon Mother Earth, you may come to the same realization that I did: It's no longer your call to make, is it?"
Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), "Federal Trade Commission Urged to Crack Down on Enviga: CSPI Says 'Calorie Burning' and Weight Loss Claims Illegal," May 21, 2007
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"If you want a lighter wallet, drink Enviga," said Jacobson [CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson]. "If you want a lighter you, drink water."