By Maria Armental
Coca-Cola Co. (KO) has agreed to change the labeling and
marketing of its Glacéau Vitaminwater drinks to settle a
class-action lawsuit over deceptive labeling, the company said on
Monday.
Under a preliminary settlement, Coca-Cola has agreed to state
the amount of calories per bottle on the front label as well as
write in bold type, "See nutrition facts for more detail," on the
label. The company has also agreed to stop making some statements
about the drinks and their effects on the body.
The suit challenged the company's marketing the drinks as a
healthful alternative to soda by using vitamin in the name and
prominently including on the label "nutrient-enhanced water
beverage."
Coca-Cola denies the allegations.
The settlement applies to residents of Florida, Ohio, Illinois,
Missouri, and the U.S. Virgin Islands who purchased Vitaminwater
brand drinks from 2003 to Sept. 25, 2014.
Objections are to be filed by Nov. 3. A final approval hearing
has been scheduled for Dec. 2.
Coca-Cola brought Vitaminwater maker Energy Brands Inc. in May
2007.
Shares closed at $43.60 on Monday but slid 0.11% in recent
after-hours trading. The company's stock is up 17% over the past 12
months.
Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com
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