Coca-Cola Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Allegations of Toxic PFAS Contamination in 'Simply Tropical' Juice
Lawsuit claims Coca-Cola's juice contains toxic "forever chemicals" at levels "hundreds of times" above federal limits for drinking water.
Coca-Cola, the beverage giant, is embroiled in a class-action lawsuit in the United States, accused of deceiving customers with false claims about the all-natural and healthy attributes of its Simply Tropical fruit juice. The lawsuit alleges that the juice is contaminated with toxic PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) at levels "hundreds of times" above federal advisory limits for drinking water, according to reports.
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PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," are a group of approximately 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in various consumer products for water, stain, and heat resistance. These chemicals are notorious for their persistence in the environment and are linked to serious health issues, including cancer, fetal complications, liver disease, kidney disease, and autoimmune disorders.
The legal action, filed in the southern district of New York, seeks monetary compensation and other "appropriate" measures. The lawsuit challenges several claims on Simply's packaging, including references to "all-natural ingredients," "simply natural," and "nothing to hide." The complaint contends that the inclusion of "filtered water" misleads consumers into believing that the product undergoes thorough purification.
"In reality, testing has revealed that the product contains [PFAS], a category of synthetic chemicals that are, by definition, not natural," the complaint states.
The lawsuit takes issue with Simply's broader marketing strategy, alleging that it is designed to attract health-conscious consumers by presenting the juice as "transparent, natural, simple." Third-party tests mentioned in the complaint reportedly found elevated levels of PFOA and PFOS, two particularly hazardous PFAS compounds.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified virtually no safe exposure levels to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water. While the complaint doesn't provide specific test results, it claims that the levels found in Simply Tropical were "hundreds of times" above the EPA's safety thresholds for drinking water. Notably, there are currently no established limits for PFAS in fruit juice or other food products in the United States.
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The lawsuit comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the use of PFAS in various consumer products. Another lawsuit filed in December calls for a halt to the addition of PFAS to plastic by a Houston-based firm, Inhance. Recent research indicates that these chemicals can migrate from treated products into food, raising concerns about potential health risks.
The source of PFAS contamination in Simply Tropical remains unclear. It could be attributed to contaminated water, the fruit itself, or the packaging. Environmental advocates argue that as testing methods improve, more lawsuits against companies failing to address PFAS concerns are likely to emerge.
Coca-Cola responded to the lawsuit, with a spokesperson stating, "We are aware of the lawsuit, which focuses on our Simply Tropical product. We stand by the quality of our products."
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit highlight the well-documented health risks associated with PFAS exposure. These synthetic chemicals have been linked to various health issues, including thyroid disorders, immunotoxicity effects, cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, increased risk of asthma, and thyroid disease.
The class-action complaint underscores the alleged discrepancy between Simply Tropical's marketing claims of purity and the presence of toxic synthetic chemicals. It contends that the product exposes unsuspecting consumers, including children, to these harmful substances in contradiction to representations made by the company.
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Coca Cola said I should try to be less white.
Good! Now maybe contact lens manufacturers (not all lenses) can be next!