Would anyone assume that Vitaminwater is good for them? Not according to Coca-Cola, the brand's owner. The non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest has sued the soft drinks giant for false advertising, on the grounds that Vitaminwater labels and advertising make "deceptive and unsubstantiated claims" to health benefits. Coke has responded that "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking Vitaminwater was a healthy beverage." Though Vitaminwater is "basically sugar water... with about a penny's worth of synthetic vitamins," says John Robbins in the Huffington Post, to argue that it doesn't portray itself as healthy is a "staggering feat of twisted logic." Coke has clearly tried to create the impression that "Vitaminwater contributes to 'better health,'" says Andisheh Nouraee in Creative Loafing. But "in fairness to Coke's lawyers, they're right." You would have to be pretty dumb to think this sugary drink was good for you from watching the ads. Decide for yourself:
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