Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Blend

Recently, a TINA.org reader was shopping when he came across this Ocean Spray product decked out in cranberries and advertising “100% juice” and “cranberry” in big, bold letters.

Based on the packaging, our reader assumed the product was 100% cranberry juice – a drink known for having many health benefits – and decided to buy it.

It wasn’t until he got home that he realized the drink was actually a “blend” of multiple different juices:

Upon glancing at the packaging, it looked like you would be buying 100 percent cranberry juice. How could you go wrong with the large graphics and cranberry photos all over the package? Didn’t notice until I got home the word “Blend” after the word juice.

According to the ingredient label on the bottom of the package, the product contains three other juices – apple, grape and pear – along with natural flavor, ascorbic acid and vegetable concentrate.

But as our reader noted, you may not expect these extra ingredients when looking at the product on the shelf.

For starters, the word “blend” is written vertically and in much smaller text than the bold letters advertising “100% juice” and “cranberry.” And while Ocean Spray discloses that the drink is a “blend of 4 juices,” it does so in faint font against a busy background in the bottom left corner. And beneath this statement, in even smaller text, the company notes there are additional “added ingredients and other natural flavor.”

The cranberry juice blend comes in a variety of different sizes, each of which prominently advertises “100% juice” and “cranberry” on packaging, while only disclosing that it is actually a juice blend with added ingredients in the fine print.

Over the years, consumers have left reviews on various online listings – including on Ocean Spray’s website, Target.com and on Amazon – reporting that the deceptive packaging disclosing “blend” in tiny print left them feeling bitter.

Of note, Ocean Spray does sell 100% cranberry juice with no other added ingredients, but it is much more expensive than its cranberry juice blend. According to the company’s website, a 32-oz bottle of its pure cranberry juice costs about $5.50, while a 64-oz bottle of its cranberry juice blend costs roughly $3-$4.

Ocean Spray did not respond to a request for comment.

The bottom line

Companies should be clear when a product is 100% cranberry juice versus when it is a cranberry juice blend with added ingredients, as this is an important distinction for consumers who are looking to get the health benefits of pure cranberry juice.

If the specific ingredients in a grocery item are important to you, always make sure to check the ingredient label before purchasing.

Find more of our coverage on ingredient claims.