7UP maker sued over antioxidant claims

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7UP maker sued over antioxidant claims

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Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, say National Cancer Institute.

09 November,2012 02:33 pm

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc, the maker of 7UP, was sued on Thursday for allegedly misleading consumers over the supposed health benefits of an antioxidant it uses in some varieties of the soft drink.The Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group for food safety and nutrition, said the companys advertising and packaging suggest that the drinks contain antioxidants from blackberries, cherries, cranberries, pomegranates and raspberries, rather than added Vitamin E.Chris Barnes, a Dr Pepper Snapple spokesman, in an emailed statement called the lawsuit another attempt by the food police at CSPI to mislead consumers about soft drinks.Antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules associated with cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.In December 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration objected to labeling in which Coca-Cola Co described its now-discontinued Diet Coke Plus drink as Diet Coke with Vitamins & Minerals.