FDA takes Coca-Cola to task for nutrition claims
December 24, 2008 by Personal Liberty News Desk
Diet Coke may contain ingredients such as the artificial sweetener aspartame and phosphoric acid, but the Food and Drug Administration is more concerned about its nutritional claims.
The FDA has sent a letter warning the soft drinks manufacturer that its Diet Coke Plus product does not have the appropriate ingredients to warrant the word "plus."
According to the agency’s standards, foods and drinks that carry the "plus" label should contain at least 10 percent more nutrients than similar items on the market. The FDA also said that adding vitamins and minerals to "snack foods" is not appropriate.
Coca-Cola introduced Diet Coke Plus in March 2007. It describes the drink as having extra vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, zinc and magnesium, according to the Associated Press.
The AP suggests that the move could be part of a larger plan by the FDA to crack down on food manufacturers that exaggerate health claims on their labels.
However, some natural foods advocates have questioned why the agency has been focusing on nutritional claims rather than the testing and regulation of artificial ingredients.
Adding a few vitamins to a can containing the equivalent of 9-11 teaspoons of sure does not make it healthy. Adding vitamins to sodas is just a marketing strategy to dupe the millions who guzzle down sodas by the gallon. This will only further promote sickness and disease among consumers.