Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2011
United Kingdom ruling on the word nutritious
The United Kingdom Advertising Standards Authority found an advertisement misleading because it described vitaminwater as nutritious while the drink also contained a significant amount of sugar.
2010
Settlement of Vitaminwater class action
Coca-Cola settled the US class-action case concerning Vitaminwater claims and labeling without admitting wrongdoing. The dispute increased scrutiny of functional-beverage advertising and nutrition claims.
2009
Center for Science in the Public Interest lawsuit
The Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Coca-Cola over claims that vitaminwater was marketed as a healthful alternative to soda despite containing substantial sugar. Coca-Cola rejected the allegations and characterized the case as meritless.
2009
Vitaminwater health-marketing litigation
Plaintiffs alleged that Vitaminwater's health-oriented branding and labeling could mislead consumers about the product's nutritional profile, particularly its sugar content and implied health benefits.
2008
Australian criticism of vitaminwater health positioning
Consumer organization Choice gave vitaminwater a Shonky Award, criticizing the gap between the product's health-oriented presentation, its sugar content, and its limited fruit-juice content.