Group says vitamin water ads are deceptive

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Makers of vitamin waters are making misleading advertising claims for their products, a U.S. consumer group calling for a halt to the statements said.

In a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, the National Consumers League is urging the commission to halt "dangerously misleading" advertisements suggesting vitamin waters can replace flu shots or prevent illness, a release from the group said Thursday.

The companies are preying on consumers' health concerns to sell a high-calorie product, the group said.

The statements are deceptive because the products are not just made from vitamins and water, but use fructose or other forms of sugar and contain 125 calories per bottle.

"Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese; the last thing people need is sugar water with vitamins you could get from eating a healthy diet, or by taking a vitamin pill," NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg said.

"These advertising claims are not only untrue; they constitute a public health menace," she said. "Stopping these vitamin water claims, which contradict information by the Centers for Disease Control and other public health authorities, should be a top FTC priority."