BigClassActions.com
Advertisement

Soft Drink Makers Face Allegations of Fraud Over Diet Sodas

- by

New York, NY: Three consumer fraud class action lawsuits have been filed against the big beverage makers, namely Coca-Cola Co, Pepsi-Cola Co, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc, repsectively. The lawsuits allege the companies deliberately mislead consumers about the health benefits of their diet drinks, specifically that “diet” beverages have no calories, and therefore the products will assist in weight loss or management.

However, according to the complaints, the diet beverages contain the artificial sweetner aspartame, which can lead to weight gain.

“Scientific evidence demonstrates this is wrong because non-nutritive sweeteners like aspartame interfere with the body’s ability to properly metabolize calories, leading to weight gain and increased risk of metabolic disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” each complaint states.

Therefore, marketing the products as “diet” is false, misleading and unlawful according to the lawsuits.

While each of the lawsuits have different plaintiffs, they all allege violations of New York laws barring false advertising and deceptive business practices, as well as negligent and intentional misrepresentation and breach of express and implied warranty. Further, each complaint asserts that aspartame is likely to cause weight gain.

The complaints cite a dozen studies and review articles in support of that claim, including a study released in August by Yale University researcher Dana Small. The study reportedly shows low-calorie drinks that taste sweet due to an artificial sweetener actually interfere with the body’s metabolism.

“In sum, calories consumed in a mismatched condition, such as when a person drinks a Diet Coke while eating food, are not efficiently metabolized at the time of ingestion, and may therefore be processed later, or stored, which can drive weight gain and further interfere with metabolism,” the Coca Cola lawsuit states. “In addition, some research has shown that sweetness, whether from sugar or noncaloric, artificial sources, increases appetite, which can lead to weight gain.”

The suit against Coca-Cola is brought by Evan Geffner of New Jersey and Ivan Babsin of New York. The suit against Pepsi is brought by Elizabeth Manuel and Vivien Grossman of New York. The suit against Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. is brought by Yasmin Excevarria and Joette Phoenix of New York.

Each of the three complaints state the plaintiffs “struggled with obesity for many years,” purchased the diet soda at issue and consumed it based in large part on the respective company’s advertising the product as “diet,” believing it would “contribute to healthy weight management” and, due to its lack of calories, wouldn’t cause weight gain.

The plaintiffs are seeking certification of proposed classes of people in New York who, on or after October 16, 2011, bought the diet beverages produced by the defendant companies. They are also seeking to recover restitution and damages for the class. The lawsuit further ask the court to prevent the companies from marketing their drinks as “diet” as long as they are sweetened with a “non-nutritive artificial sweetener” and seek an order requiring the soda makers to conduct a "corrective advertising campaign.”

The litigation against Pepsi differs in that Diet Pepsi is sweetened with aspartame as well as acesulfame-potassium and sucralose, according to the complaint.

Plaintiffs in the cases are represented by Derek T. Smith and Abraham Z. Melamed of the Derek Smith Law Group PLLC, Jack Fitzgerald, Trevor M. Flynn and Melanie Persinger of The Law Office of Jack Fitzgerald PC, and Andrew Sacks and John Weston of Sacks Weston Diamond LLC. The cases are Excevarria et al. v. Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. et al., case number 1:17-cv-07957, Geffner et al. v. The Coca-Cola Co., case number 17-cv-07952, and Manuel et al. v. Pepsi-Cola Co., case number 17-cv-07955, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Diet Sodas Consumer Fraud Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries, please fill in our form on the right and your complaint will be sent to a consumer frauds lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

Reader Comments

Posted by

on
Only adds to the weight .

Posted by

on
I cannot believe that diet drinks actually cause you to gain weight. I feel betrayed.

Posted by

on
Add me

Posted by

on
Wow I am Diet Dr Pepper drinker for years by the case... grrrrr

Posted by

on
I used to drink nothing but Diet Mt. Dew for years, then when i started gaining weight, I cut down to 32 oz per day, then down to a 12 oz can. Now, I consider myself lucky if I drink one diet mt. dew per week. My own personal research showed me that cutting out diet sodas stopped me from gaining weight and not drinking any soda at all for about two months helped me to start losing weight, along with a nutritiously balance eating plan, not a diet. That includes drinking plenty of water, not soda - including diet.

Posted by

on
what a bunch of crybabies you are. blaming diet coke because you all are addicted and cant stop drinking it? get off your fat ass and go to they gym and drink some water. you dont deserve sh*t from them.

Posted by

on
I have been drinking diet mountain dew for about 10 years and have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, although I have no family history of it. I can not seem to get my weight down. I am very addicted to this drink. I have to have it first thing in the morning and drink it all day long up until bedtime. I have tried to stop drinking diet mountain dew but suffer withdrawals. I don't know what to do. I am very concerned after hearing from my son about the dangers of consuming this product. I need help! If anyone can offer any advice, I would be very grateful!

Posted by

on
I have been drinking diet coke for 20 years and stilled gained weight so I switched to diet mt.dew and still can`t lose weight

Posted by

on
Been drinking diet Pepsi since 1987. I would of never thought it was influencing weight gain.

Posted by

on
I have been drinking Coke zero for years and having problems losing weight

Posted by

on
I've drank diet coke for years went from never knew it caused my weight wow

Posted by

on
I have drank Diet Coke for years, thinking I was saving calories and could lose weight. I actually gained weight and kept weight on.
My blood pressure went up and I had my blood sugar rise.

Posted by

on
i've been drinking diet coke since 1994 and struggled with weight gain

Posted by

on
I have been drinking Diet Coke since 1997 and have struggled with obesity.

Add Your Comment on This Issue

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Request Legal Help