Red Bull will pay $13 million to consumers because it didn't actually give them wings

Red Bull will pay $13 million to consumers because it didn&#039;t actually give them wings

(Image credit: YouTube)

last updated 8 January 2015

Contrary to what its slogan may suggest, Red Bull does not give you wings.

The energy drink company is facing a $13 million settlement for false advertising. A U.S. class action lawsuit alleges that Red Bull made "false and misleading advertising claims," since the company's marketing campaigns suggest the drink offers physical benefits, such as improving concentration skills — but these claims have not been backed by scientific evidence.

The plaintiffs in the class action suit added that words like "wings" and "boost" suggest the drink provides physical enhancement. The lawsuit said that "such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull's] advertising and marketing is not just 'puffery,' but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable." Red Bull, meanwhile, released a statement saying that its "marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate," even though it agreed to pay the settlement.