Pepsi Sues Coke For False Advertising, Demands Recall Of Sports Drink
Pepsi is suing Coke over claims that their new sports drink, Powerade Ion4, is "more complete" than their own Gatorade.
"There is no evidence, scientific or otherwise, that Powerade Ion functions better than Gatorade as a sports drink," the lawsuit said. "There is no evidence that Powerade Ion will help consumers achieve better hydration, have more energy or get nutrients that will result in improved athletic performance."
The complaint claims there is no evidence the "minute quantities of magnesium and calcium" present in the Powerade drink make it superior to Gatorade.
The lawsuit actually demands that the drinks be recalled if their labels contain the false advertising message.
"Defendants' entire advertising campaign for Powerade Ion4 is a calculated, intentional strategy designed to falsely and viciously attack the readily- identifiable market leader, Gatorade, in the hopes of unfairly gaining precious market share," the lawsuit said.
Coke's spokesperson said that they couldn't comment because they'd not received the lawsuit.
PepsiCo Unit Files False-Advertising Suit Vs Coca-Cola [CNN]
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Comments:
Hmm I dont know if Pepsi really wants to tread these waters.
After all there is massive amounts of evidence that both in their current forms are not very good for you, even if your athletic.
While unlikely, Coke could EASILY lob the nuclear option and destroy both markets.
What is good Conan?
Coke wont have any of this. Trust me.
There is no good evidence that Gatorade is better than water or water downed juice for athletic performance, but that never stopped PespiCo.
In a related note, God himself is suing both companies complaining they are using misleading and unscientific claims in an attemp to unfairly garner market share over his own creation...water.
It has electrolytes!
@ekthesy: Nope. They are full of high GLUCOSE corn-derived syrup. (Typically, these are around 90% glucose.)
Not that it matters that much--sugar in any form is not generally desirable and have only occasional reasonable use by athletes.
If I was desperate for electrolytes I would just drink Smart Water. If I was desperate...
It's what plants crave!
Between this and the lawsuit from Coke Zero, Coke is going to be in big trouble.
@snowmoon: actually yes and no. Gatorade the concoction it is now, your right, since it shares little with its original version. Hell unless you get the powder version it doesn't even have natural sugar. It has HFCS.
But the original that was scientifically developed and tested did show a marked improvement in recovery of athletes.
Personally I use a watered down version of Tang myself.
Junk both and go with the equivalent energy cocktail of lukewarm water, pixy stix, and 3 pouches of Lik-m-Aid.
My favorite "energy" drink for working out is 100% grape juice with some vanilla flavored protein powder mixed in. The sugar helps speed up absorption of protein and the protein helps slow down absorption of sugar. So your sugar derived energy lasts longer while the protein helps your muscle from turning catabolic. Either that or I just like the way it tastes like a grape creamsicle...:)
This is why there is Kangen water. High alkaline water ftw! You'll never drink bottled water or anything else off the shelf again after you do your research on that stuff.
I usually drink Propel, which has only 10 calories per serving if I am doing some sort of strenuous activity in the heat, which is rare. Much better than Gatorade or Powerade, and Powerade has made me sick in the past.
Agreed here that Gatorade and Powerade generally aren't good for you. Chugging them during your 30-minute huff fest on the treadmill isn't going to do squat.
There are far superior electrolyte drink mixes on the market which can benefit the every day pursuit of physical fitness. (My personal fave is Hammer HEED)
At most, taking some Gatorade with water while you're doing a long strenuous activity - 5K or longer - is about the only time you should drink these. Even then there are better options out there, like Accelerade.
(That or when you're hungover).
Gatorade is best used for rec league soccer for the kids.
@Jim Topoleski: Heh. Perhaps the fallout from that bomb kills off the flavored water and energy bar markets as well.
Pot sues kettle for claiming it is blacker.
You know what will keep you hydrated and provide all the nutrients you need at 1/10 the cost? A jug of tap water and a banana.
@Saboth:
Oh, and a side note for anyone wasting money on protein/recovery drinks that are $2-$3 per bottle: scientific studies show a big cold glass of chocolate milk does the exact same thing.
@ocdetails: You do know this is the consumerist website. MLM and Quackery are not likely to get you very far.
@Jim Topoleski: HAHAHA, I haven't seen that one. I'm a big fan of PowerThirst.
+ Watch video
400 BABIES!!
@Saboth: A cup of coffee is just as good as any pre-workout energy drinks as well. That's what I use, plus my grape juice/protein powder mix halfway through my workout (on days I do weights).
@jscott73:
That sounds really good!
The best skate practice I ever had was when I ate a turkey sandwich on wheat bread for breakfast. Too bad I don't really like turkey. I had energy to spare...if I could do an Axel, it would have been on the ceiling!
How did I know I would see SEVERAL Idiocracy references in this thread?
I prefer Dark Eyes Sports Vodka, it is the official sports vodka of the Bridge Overpass Sporting Association.
@snowmoon: But it makes you sweat in bright neon colors!
Surely that's not just an advertising gimmick, right?
Isn't 'complete' an absolute? How can something be 'more complete' than something else? It's like trying to be 'more unique'.
That being said, Coke is good. Pepsi is crap.
@ekthesy: I was wondering if there is even a truly unbiased study on whether Gatorade or Powerade (either or both) performed better than regular tap water.
@jscott73: Protein powder mix? Slightly different demographic, but basically the same (crap you can find naturally but let's prepackage it and charge a premium) idea.
@snowmoon: Well, they did prove it... but only because Gatorade TASTES better than water (though I personally prefer water), so you tend to drink more of it. Which hydrates you more.
Fuck'em both. An entire generation with diabetes. This is the next tobacco
@ekthesy: Water does not contain sodium or potassium. If you're running a marathon, you will deplete your supply of both of these. You need to replace them. You also need to replace your supply of quick-burning carbs because you deplete that in about two hours at marathon pace.
Gee, I wonder how CNN found out about this before Coke did?
@Runs With Gophers: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and replenish electrotypes using Gatorade's scientifically proven hydration formula!
The question is whether Coke is just doing "puffery" or if it goes beyond that. I think it's questionable, but lean more towards "puffery." You are allowed say stuff like "My product is more awesome then their product." You just cannot make concrete claims about superiority that are not based on anything. Calling something "more complete" is pretty vague, so I don't think it falls into the category of making a concrete claim that needs to be supported by evidence.
Whatever. They're both terrible for you and full of high fructose corn syrup. Drink water, athletes.