Coke, Nestlé Settle Enviga Claims for $650K

HARTFORD, Conn.—Coke, Nestlé and Beverage Partnership Worldwide (BPW) have agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a lawsuit over claims that Enviga, a green tea beverage, burns extra calories resulting in weight loss, announced Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

The AG, working with Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr., led a coalition of 26 states and the District of Columbia in the Feb. 26 settlement that also provides more than $100,000 to Connecticut's General Fund.

The companies have agreed to relabel Enviga and any similar products to add disclosures and to disclaim any weight-loss benefits. The disclaimer must note that weight loss is only possible through diet and exercise.

In 2007, the attorneys general, led by Connecticut, began an investigation into questionable claims that drinking Enviga will burn more calories than it contains and implying that consuming the product can lead to weight loss.

"Enviga's implied weight loss claims were scientifically weightless—unsupported by solid evidence,” Blumenthal said. “Enviga is no magic potion, capable of cutting pounds without pain. The larger message is that pound cutting claims are easy to swallow, but ultimately unsatisfying. Consumers deserve unadulterated truth—on food product labels as well as contents."