Los Angeles, CA: A consumer fraud class action lawsuit was filed against Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., the maker of 7UP, over allegations the company misleads consumers about the health benefits of an antioxidant used in some varieties of some of the 7UP soft drinks.
According to report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group for food safety and nutrition, Dr Pepper Snapple Group' advertising and packaging suggest that the 7Up beverages contain antioxidants from blackberries, cherries, cranberries, pomegranates and raspberries, rather than added Vitamin E.
According to the National Cancer Institute, antioxidants help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules associated with cancer.
Thursday's lawsuit, entitled Green v. Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., was filed US District Court, Central District of California, No. 12-09567. It seeks class-action status on behalf of purchasers nationwide of the products, a variety of financial damages, and a halt to the alleged misleading advertising.
David Green, a resident of Sherman Oaks, California, and the named plaintiff in the class action lawsuit, alleges he would not have bought the soft drinks had he known their antioxidants did not come from fruit.
7UP Cherry Antioxidant was launched in 2009, and is also available as a diet drink. Other products include 7UP Mixed Berry Antioxidant and Diet 7UP Mixed Berry Antioxidant.
