Juice Plus Research Blog

The FDA should halt the marketing of NSA's Juice Plus Orchard Blend and Garden Blend capsules because the products are adulterated and misbranded, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).[1] According to The Tan Sheet, a publication that monitors nonprescription pharmaceutical and nutritional products, CSPI notified the FDA on December 12, 2007, advising the agency that Juice Plus vitamin supplements are being deceptively marketed to consumers.

CSPI says it is concerned that the products' claim, "the next best thing to fruits and vegetables," may lead consumers to believe the pills are "closer to real fruits and vegetables than is likely to be the case." CSPI explained that the labels indicate that the capsules contain high levels of vitamins A and C and folate naturally, and do not disclose that these vitamins and minerals are added to the capsules during processing. CSPI also published a highly critical special report on Juice Plus (see Center for Science in the Public Interest Crucifies Juice Plus)[2] in the December 2007 edition of the organization’s Nutrition Action Healthletter.[3]

CSPI has been prominently featured in news headlines in the past month as a result of their role as co-counsel in a $23.3 million class action settlement against the manufacturers of Airborne -- a multivitamin and herbal supplement whose labels and ads falsely claimed that the product cures and prevents colds.[4] Airborne is now under scrutiny by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and 24 State Attorneys General.

CSPI’s negative opinion of Juice Plus is shared by many nutrition experts and several major health organizations, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center,[5] University of Pennsylvania’s Abrahamson Cancer Center,[6] Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter,[7] University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter,[8][9] the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Reports.[10] If CSPI is successful in persuading the FDA to take enforcement action against Juice Plus, National Safety Associates (NSA), the privately-held company responsible for marketing Juice Plus, may be subject to fines and/or seizure of products and marketing materials.

References

1. CSPI targets juice capsules. The Tan Sheet. FDC Reports. December 17, 2007;15(051).
   http://www.thetansheet.com
2. Center for Science in the Public Interest crucifies Juice Plus. Juice Plus Research Blog; February 18, 2008.
   http://juiceplusresearch.blogspot.com/2008/02/center-for-science-in-public-interest.html
3. Special report: Lost in translation -- Why real fruit and vegetables beat juices, powder, and purees. Nutrition Action Healthletter (December, 2007). Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
   http://www.cspinet.org/nah/12_07/special.pdf
4. Airborne agrees to pay $23.3 million to settle lawsuit over false advertising of its "miracle cold buster": company now under scrutiny by FTC & 24 State Attorneys General. Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). March 3, 2008
   http://www.cspinet.org/new/200803032.html
5. Juice Plus. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
   http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69270.cfm
6. Juice Plus Supplement: OncoLink Ask The Experts (Katrina Claghorn). Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania.
   http://www.oncolink.com/experts/article.cfm?c=1&s=3&ss=3&id=2390
7. Tufts University dismisses Juice Plus. Juice Plus Research Blog; March 04, 2008.
   http://juiceplusresearch.blogspot.com/2008/03/tufts-university-dismisses-juice-plus.html
8. Juice Plus — and minus. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter. 2000;17(2):2-3.
   http://www.berkeleywellness.com/subCorner/pdf/2000/0011.pdf
9. Juice Plus: Wellness guide to dietary supplements. University of California Berkeley Wellness Letter.
   http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsJuicePlus.php
10. How product testimonials bend the rules. Consumer Reports.
    http://money.aol.com/consreports/smartshopping/electronics/_a/how-product-testimonials-bend-the-rules/20060106133109990001