The Praxis Project filed a lawsuit against the soft drink giant, Coca-Cola Company and beverage industry advocate American Beverage Association (ABA) of false and misleading marketing of sugar-sweetened beverages.
In the unlawful campaign of deception, the soda industry promotes disinformation to confuse consumers on the science connecting sugar-sweetened beverages to the obesity epidemic, and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease. To downplay the risk of sugar in beverages, Coca-Cola has been collaboratively working with scientists to reframe the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity while shifting the blame towards personal responsibility and lack of exercise.
The Praxis Project also points out the soda drink giant has advertised to children on a massive scale despite the company's pledge of not advertising sugar-sweetened drinks to children under 12.
Although Coca-Cola and ABA refuted the allegations, another claim points out the research campaigns of Coca-Cola and ABA that point to a "calories in, calories out" method of healthful living. According to CSPI, the research was inaccurate and failed to take into account of the dangerous levels of sugars found in one can of Coke, which is nearly 14 grams more than the daily sugar intake for a grown adult, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Praxis strives to stop Coca-Cola and ABA from deceiving the public of their health impact. The lawsuit demands the two parties to disclose more information about potential health risks of sugar-sweetened beverages and disarms any marketing campaigns containing false health claims pertaining its products.
"We are tired of trying to counter the deep pocket advertising that misleads our communities regarding the dangers of regularly consuming sugary drinks," said Praxis Project Executive Director, Xavier Morales, in a statement. "The price our community pays through decreased health, increased diabetes, and amputations is too high."
