A proposed class action lawsuit was filed yesterday in California against Dannon over the company’s unsubstantiated claims that its Activia, Activia Lite and DanActive “probiotic” yogurts were healthier than regular yogurt. A Dannon spokesperson told Reuters he knew nothing about the lawsuit, and that Dannon stood by its studies. But as the lawsuit points out, the studies Dannon knew about did not support any claims that the special yogurt was more beneficial than regular yogurt. So what are you trying to tell us, Dannon? Or are you just stalling for time while your lawyers get that settlement proposal ready?
The lawsuit claims Dannon has spent “far more than $100 million” to convey deceptive messages to U.S. consumers while charging 30 percent more that other yogurt products.
The lawsuit also cited scientific reports showing, counter to Dannon’s advertising, that there was no conclusive evidence that the bacteria prevented illness or was beneficial to healthy adults—and that Dannon knew this.
It seeks reimbursement for all U.S. purchasers of Activia, Activia Lite and DanActive, and demands that Dannon engage in “a corrective advertising campaign.”
“Dannon sued over “probiotic” bacteria claims” [Reuters]
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@edwardso: In that case, though, it’d probably be cheaper to buy some generic fiber supplement and mix a teaspoon into your yogurt.
I don’t care what they say or what it costs. It works for me. Sounds like someone here looking for a problem.
I want to give you Dannon’s position about this lawsuit – I work for Dannon.
All of Dannon’s claims for Activia and DanActive are completely supported by peer-reviewed science and are in accordance with all laws and regulations. Dannon’s advertising is and will continue to be absolutely truthful, and Dannon will vigorously challenge this lawsuit.
If you’d like to hear both sides of this story check out the scientific evidence on our websites (www.danactive.com and http://www.activia.com) as well as a statement about the lawsuit at [www.dannon.com]
Michael Neuwirth
Sr. Director of Public Relations
The Dannon Company
Hi Michael,
Please consider removing the HFCS from Activia.
Thanks!
Stacy75,
I’ll pass along your suggestion. fyi, my favorite, Activia Light (vanilla’s my preferred flavor), doesn’t have hfcs.
Thanks.
Hi, Michael. Are the health claims true for ANY yogurt with live cultures, or just Activia?
You can culture the stuff yourself, I had good success using one of those ridiculous little containers of vanilla DanActive. It’s not hard and the yogurt you get is nicer than the commercial stuff. Lucky Leaf Premium Pie filling (glass jar with lid) is just right for fruit flavoring.
Lifeway Kefir is the best and I don’t believe in anything but when I started drinking a cup a day of kefir for two weeks i felt great and did not have any digestion problems too bad the only place they sell it near me is at kroger and I do my grocery shopping at super target
Activia works for me. Just because someone files a lawsuit and attempts certification as a class action DOES NOT mean that they are correct. It is a shame that consumerist gave the unsubstantiated claims of a law suit such good billing. Perhaps the editor of Consumerist should eat a couple of cups of Activia and see what happens.
Mr. Gunn, sorry for the very delayed reply to your question. The health benefit of Activia for regularity (if you have slow transit) is specific to Activia because Activia has a unique probiotic called Bifidus Regularis. The benefits of probiotics are ‘strain specific,’ which basically means that specific strains have specific benefits.