WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. food advocacy group said it will sue Amway unless it stops advertising what it calls unsubstantiated nutrition and health benefits in two products.
Seema Rattan, staff litigator at the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, said labels for Nutrilite's "fruits & vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes" state in big print that the product represents two servings of fruits and vegetables and fine print says a dose "contains the antioxidant equivalent of two servings."
Rattan said the10-milliliter tubes do not come close to conveying the same health benefits as real fruit or vegetables.
Similarly, Amway says Nutrilite's Immunity Twist Tubes are an "immune system booster" that will "protect your cells," but the Strawberry Kiwi flavor has neither strawberry nor kiwi, despite the attractive pictures of those fruits on the box, Rattan said.
However, the immunity claim is unlawful, the CSPI said, because it implies the product will prevent disease.
"Amway is sending a horrible health message to American consumers when it holds out its Twist Tubes as a short cut to getting the health benefits of real food," Rattan said in a statement. "People who want the health benefits of two servings of fruits and vegetables are far better off eating two servings of fruits and vegetables. And no one should be deceived into thinking that these pricey little tubes will prevent them from getting sick."
A 20-dose pack of Nutrilite "fruits & vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes" costs $19.99 plus $7.95 shipping and handling if purchased at amway.com; Immunity Twist Tubes cost $12.35 plus $7.95 shipping and handling.
