Powerade
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that products contain “50% more electrolytes* vs the leading sports drink”
Simply Orange Juice
Note: In December 2022, a class-action lawsuit unconnected to the case outlined below was filed against The Coca-Cola Company alleging the company falsely markets Simply Tropical juice as “All Natural.” The lawsuit claims the product contains synthetic chemicals (per- and polyfluoralkyl substances, aka PFAS) that are harmful to people and the environment.
2018: All of the lawsuits in the multidistrict litigation were voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the terms of which were not disclosed.
July 2014: The lawsuit was transferred from state court to federal court. (Phelps et al v. The Coca-Cola Company and Does 1-100, Case No. 14-cv-5198, C.D. Cal.). Later in July, this case was transferred and consolidated with similar cases in multidistrict litigation. Click here to read the Master Consolidated Complaint. (Case No. 14-cv-645, W.D. Mo.; MDL 2361)
June 2014: A class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that, among other things, the Coca-Cola Co. misleadingly labels Simply Orange juices as containing “100% Pure Squeezed” orange juice when the juices are actually manufactured using an unnatural process and artificial flavoring. (Phelps et al v. The Coca-Cola Co., et al, Case No. BC547592, Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles).
For more information about other class-action lawsuits against The Coca-Cola Co. and TINA.org’s coverage of the company, click here.
For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding the marketing of orange juice and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.
Class-Action Tracker
Minute Maid Fruit Punch
Allegations: Falsely marketing that products contain no preservatives
Topo Chico Margarita Hard Seltzers
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as margaritas when they don’t contain tequila and are actually beer
Simply Tropical Juices
Allegations: Falsely marketing juices as “All Natural” when they contain synthetic chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment
Minute Maid Juice Boxes
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing juices as healthy when scientific evidence shows consuming fruit juices increases the risk of diseases
Minute Maid Beverages
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as healthy
Recyclability Claims on Dasani, Poland Spring and Other Bottled Waters
Allegations: False “100% Recyclable” claims
Topo Chico Margarita Hard Seltzer
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing drinks as margaritas when they don’t contain tequila
Fanta Piña Colada Soda
Allegations: Falsely marketing the flavoring ingredients in beverages
Minute Maid Apple Juice
Allegations: Marketing products using the phrase “with vitamin C” on the front label without adequately disclosing that they contain a chemically modified form of vitamin C that acts as a…
Fanta Piña Colada
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing drinks as containing “100% Natural Flavors”
Fresca Sparkling Black Cherry Citrus and Grapefruit Citrus Sparkling Soda Waters
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing products as “Sparkling Soda Water” and the flavoring ingredients in them
Fairlife Milk
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that milk comes from cows that are treated humanely
Fanta Dragon Fruit Soda
Allegations: False natural claims
Fanta Berry-Flavored Drinks
Allegations: False natural claims
BodyArmor SuperDrink
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing drinks as healthy and providing superior hydration
Gold Peak Slightly Sweet Teas
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing teas as low in sugar when they are actually high in sugar
Core Power Elite Vanilla High Protein Milk Shake
In September 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Fairlife for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavoring ingredient in its Core Power Elite Vanilla High Protein Milk Shake is vanilla…
Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola Sodas
In October 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Coca-Cola for allegedly falsely marketing that vanilla is one of the flavoring ingredients in Orange Vanilla Coca-Cola sodas when, according to…
Core Power Vanilla Milk Shake
In September 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Fairlife LLC for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavoring ingredient in Core Power Vanilla High Protein Milk Shake is vanilla when,…
Vanilla Coke
In July 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the characterizing flavor in Vanilla Coke is vanilla when, according to plaintiffs, the…
Fairlife Milk Products
In June 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Coca-Cola for allegedly falsely advertising that Fairlife products contain milk from cows that are treated ethically, humanely, and with an “extraordinary”…
Honest Organic Peach Tea
In January 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing its Honest Organic Peach Tea as being “Just a Tad Sweet” to imply that…
Seagram’s Ginger Ale
October 2019: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement. June 2019: A federal judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement agreement that provides class members with an…
Bottles of Gold Peak Tea
In August 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for allegedly deceptively using concaved bottles for its Gold Peak Tea to make consumers think they are getting…
Coca Cola Freestyle Souvenir Cup at Universal Parks
In October 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against NBC Universal for allegedly falsely advertising that the purchase of a Coca Cola Freestyle Souvenir Cup at Universal parks comes with…
Hansen’s Natural Sodas
In September 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing Hansen’s Natural Sodas as being natural when, according to plaintiffs, the sodas contain artificial…
Diet Coke’s Marketing
March 2018: The named plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the February 2018 decision to dismiss the case. February 2018: A federal judge granted Coca-Cola’s motion to dismiss concluding…
Diet Coke
In October 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Coca-Cola for allegedly making consumers believe that Diet Coke will assist weight loss and management by misleadingly marketing the soda as…
Minute Maid Pomegranate Blueberry 100% Fruit Juice
January 2015: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled., the reasons for which have not been…
Coca-Cola’s Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
In July 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for, among other things, allegedly misleading consumers about the characteristics of sugar-sweetened beverages by obscuring the link between…
Gold Peak Tea Products
In July 2017, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Coca-Cola Company for allegedly deceptively marketing Gold Peak Tea products as having “No Preservatives” when, according to plaintiffs, they contain…
Coca-Cola’s Soft Drink Labels
2015: An Amended Consolidated Complaint making similar allegations (i.e., the company deceptively markets drinks as natural when they contain artificial flavoring and chemical preservatives) was filed. 2014: Multiple lawsuits have…
Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry Juice
May 2016: This action was dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled., the reasons for which have not been disclosed. February 2016: Plaintiffs moved for…
Odwalla Energy Bars and Beverages
In August 2016, Coca-Cola and Odwalla, Inc. moved to dismiss a false advertising class-action lawsuit regarding Odwalla energy bars and beverages. Specifically, the complaint, which was originally filed in 2013,…
Marketing of Vitaminwater
April 2016: A federal judge issued a decision granting final approval of the settlement. January 2016: Plaintiffs moved for final approval of the settlement, which was preliminarily approved in October…
Vitaminwater
June 2015: After a class member filed a Notice of Appeal indicating that he was appealing the Court’s final approval of the settlement agreement and the approval of attorneys’ fees,…
The Latest
2023 Reasonable Consumer Quiz
See how you stack up.
By the Numbers: Greenwashing Class-Action Lawsuits
TINA.org has tracked more than 100 lawsuits alleging greenwashing.
TINA.org to FTC: Deceptive Recyclable Claims Belong in the Trash
Recyclable claims for products that aren’t actually being recycled need to stop.
American Beverage Association’s Every Bottle Back Recycling Initiative
Inquiry finds trade group overstates environmental benefits of recycling program.
Fairlife Milk Imposter Car Wrap Scam
This scam will not die.