FDA Is Not Impressed By Diet Coke Plus

Last month, the FDA sent Coca-Cola a letter warning that their Diet Coke Plus (“it’s what plants crave”) violates FDA standards for products fortified with vitamins.

The FDA’s letter takes issue with the word “plus,” which has a standardized meaning and may only be used for certain fortified foods and beverages. Because “plus” is supposed to be used for comparison, e.g., “this Diet Coke Plus has more vitamins and minerals than this fifth of rye,” and because Coca-Cola didn’t identify a reference product, the “plus” is worthless. Further, the letter notes, “the FDA does not consider it appropriate to fortify snack foods such as carbonated beverages.” But, it’s got electrolytes!

(Photo: La Mariposa)

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