SoBe apologizes for alarming bottle cap message

PURCHASE, N.Y., July 3 (UPI) -- Customers weren't laughing when they opened their SoBe tea and fruit juice to find an alarming message -- "Help me trapped in SoBe factory" -- under their bottle caps recently.

The beverage company, which also bottles enhanced water, includes humorous messages under its bottle caps, some of which are submitted by the public.

But some customers didn't find the the message in question all that amusing. Instead, some were worried someone really may have been trapped in the factory or forced to work there.

One customer, Robin Simkins, posted a photo of her cap to SoBe's Facebook page asking, "Is this for real?? I need to know?!"

"Hi there, we're sorry that our cap slogan caused you concern, that was certainly not our intention," SoBe responded to her post. "These sayings are intended to give our consumers a little smile or pause for thought, not offense, while they enjoy their favorite SoBe beverage.

"We are planning on removing this cap slogan from our current rotation, however, it will take a while for existing stock to run through the market."

Others used the opportunity to bring awareness to forced labor.

"Let us join together to help those who ask for help, we have to stop slavery and trafficking," another Facebook user, Gio Valle, posted on the SoBe page.

Some 21 million people are forced into labor worldwide, including 11.4 million women and girls, and 9.5 million men and boys. Nearly 19 million are exploited at the hands of individuals or private businesses, and 2 million by state or rebel groups, the International Labour Organization says.

Forced labor in the private economy generates about $150 billion in profits each year.