Coca-Cola is facing a lawsuit over claims that its Simply Orange Juice forever contains toxic chemicals.
The lawsuit alleged that the product misled customers with claims that it was an all-natural product.
Third-party testing allegedly found the juice to contain PFAS, known as perennial chemicals, at levels hundreds of times higher than federal limits for drinking water.
Exposure to high levels of PFAS can lead to an increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer, fetal complications, liver disease and elevated cholesterol levels.
According to the lawsuit, the label that says the juice is natural is misleading and deceptive.
Joseph Lurenz filed the lawsuit on December 28 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Coca-Cola Company and the Simply Orange Juice Company.
The company misrepresented its products by using terms such as “simply natural”, “nothing to hide” and “all natural” on the labels, even though they contained PFAS.
Mr Lurenz believes the defendants knew the fruit juice contained dangerous chemicals that could pose a health risk, but failed to disclose the information to consumers.
He said, “Really [the] Plaintiff’s investigation revealed that the product contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), a class of synthetic chemicals that are not, by definition, natural.”
The lawsuit said third-party testing was uncovered PFAS in the juice. Specific test results were not provided, but the lawsuit said the levels were “hundreds of times” higher than federal limits for drinking water.
The limit values, which were tightened last summer, are 0.02 ppt for PFOS and 0.004 ppt for PFOA.
The juice is marketed as all-natural and has labels that say “easily made,” a claim the plaintiff disputes.
It is currently unknown how PFAS chemicals could have contaminated the water used for juicing or if the chemicals could also have been in the packaging.
PFAS chemicals are also found in items such as cookware and food packaging, often used for their non-stick, heat and water resistance.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PFAS do not break down easily and can build up in our bodies and environment.
The same properties that make PFAS chemicals useful in products also make them dangerous for consumption – the chemicals’ ability to last and slowly break down.
Humans can be exposed to PFAS in several ways, although water is believed to be the main route.
However, PFAS are also found in the air, fish and soil in places around the world. Thousands of PFAS chemicals are used to manufacture various products.
It is currently unknown how PFAS chemicals contaminated the water used for juicing and whether the chemicals are also present in the packaging
“As one of the most famous brands in the world, The Coca-Cola Company recognizes the importance of marketing and labeling, including the value of the label images they carefully select for product placement,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit alleges that the product’s brand name was designed to increase sales to unsuspecting consumers.
It does so by appealing to health-conscious shoppers who believe the orange juice is simply all-natural and free of synthetic ingredients that the complaint claims are harmful for human consumption.
The tests were independently conducted to look for PFAS chemicals.
The plaintiff is seeking undisclosed monetary damages for himself and the class action suit, as well as damages and civil penalties to be awarded to the brand.
Drinking orange juice is often considered good for your health, as the beverage has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke by nearly a quarter, according to one study.
Many people drink orange juice when they have a cold, as it is known for its vitamin C content.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
