Coca-Cola class action claims Minute Maid juice not actually healthy

Coca-Cola class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Mete Karabas filed a class action lawsuit against The Coca-Cola Co..
• Why: Coca-Cola allegedly misrepresents Minute Maid juice as being healthy even though it contains free sugar that has been linked to a large number of health problems.
• Where: The Coca-Cola lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.

The Coca-Cola Co. misrepresents its Minute Maid juice and drink boxes as being “Part of a Healthy, Balanced Diet” even though scientific evidence suggests fruit juice actually increases the risk of developing certain health issues, a Coca-Cola lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Mete Karabas says he purchased Minute Maid Apple Juice and Fruit Punch products after reading Coca-Cola’s claims that “Minute Maid Juice Boxes Are Good for You!” and that the juice is part of a healthy and balanced diet.

When he purchased the Minute Maid juice products, Karabas says he was unaware that consuming juice is unhealthy and that consuming high amounts of free sugar in juices increases the risk of diseases such as metabolic disease, liver disease, heart disease and diabetes.

Coca-Cola lawsuit: juice does not provide health benefits provided by whole fruit

The Coca-Cola class action lawsuit points to a number of studies that have shown that consuming fruit juice is harmful to health. One study notes that processing intact fruit releases the sugar from its natural fiber encasing, concentrating the fruit’s sugar so that it becomes “free sugar.”

Many studies have reportedly found that consuming whole fruit has a protective benefit against diabetes and other diseases while juice consumption may actually increase the risk of diabetes and other diseases.

“The reasonable consumer is unaware that—or at least the extent to which—consuming high amounts of free sugar, like that in [Minute Maid juice products], adversely affects digestive health, blood glucose and cholesterol levels; increases inflammation and risk of chronic digestive diseases; and increases risk of metabolic disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes and other morbidity,” the Coca-Cola lawsuit states.

Karabas claims he would not have purchased the products had he known that the Minute Maid healthy labeling claims were false and misleading.

The Coca-Cola class action lawsuit asserts claims for unfair and deceptive business practices and false advertising under New York business law, violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, breach of express warranty, negligent misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.

Earlier this year, Coca-Cola was hit with another Minute Maid juice lawsuit over allegations it falsely advertised its juice boxes as healthy.

Do you think the Minute Maid healthy labels on its juice products are likely to mislead consumers? Join the discussion in the comments.

Karabas is represented by Jack Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Joseph LLP.

The Minute Maid juice class action lawsuit is Mete Karabas v. The Coca-Cola Co., Case No. 1:23-cv-09218, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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