The lawsuits against industrial food companies just keep piling up.
First, it was Wesson Oils who got sued for using GMOs in its products that the company claimed were “100% Natural”.
Then, Kashi got sued for using prescription drugs, irradiated substances, pesticides that are a by-product of uranium mining, and federally declared hazardous substances in products that it claimed were “All-Natural” and contained “Nothing Artificial”.
Now, here comes a class action lawsuit against Naked Juice (owned by PepsiCo) for using genetically-modified ingredients and synthetic substances in products that were marketed as “Non-GMO” and “All-Natural”.
Highlights of the Naked Juice lawsuit accuse the company of:
1) Labeling its products as “Non-GMO” when, in fact, it knowingly used genetically-modified ingredients in its products.
2) False and misleading labeling of its products as “100% Juice”, “100% Fruit” and “All Natural” when the products contained many different synthetic ingredients and synthetic fibers such as:
* Fibersol-2 — a proprietary synthetic digestion-resistant fiber produced by Archer Daniels Midland and developed by a Japanese chemical company.
* Fructooligosaccharides — a synthetic fiber and sweetener.
* Inulin — an artificial and invisible fiber added to foods to artificially increase fiber content with the typical fiber mouth-feel.
3) Intentionally misleading and deceiving its customers.
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In my view, the allegations in the Naked Juice lawsuit are much, much worse than the Kashi and ConAgra ones. Why?
The legal crackdown on the use the term “natural” is something that is only now taking place.
While companies may absolutely be violating the law by using GMOs and synthetic substances in products that they claim to be “all-natural”, the legal precedent has not been set yet. It soon will be.
Furthermore, since our government has done nothing to truly clarify and enforce what “natural” means, major food companies have been dancing around the issue hoping not to get caught. That party is coming to an end.
However, with the Naked Juice lawsuit, the company is being accused of using GMOs when it states that its products are “Non-GMO”.
If proven true, this is blatant fraud and deception. No legal education or chemistry background is needed to tell you that this is clearly illegal.
What makes matters worse is the packaging of Naked Juice products and how it sells the promise of something incredibly wholesome and healthy.
As I have stated before, this is only a major positive for the organic industry and for all consumers.
The more people realize that “natural” means very little, the more they will gravitate towards organic, where there are standards, enforcement and regulation.
Please share this article about the Naked Juice lawsuit with anyone you know that may be purchasing Naked Juice products.
To read the full legal complaint, click HERE (PDF file).
Thought about this article today – deciding what brand of coconut water to choose. I obviously didn’t choose Naked… Thanks for keeping us engaged and aware of scary tactics by “natural” sounding products.
Vani
I didn’t need to see the label to know that Naked had problems. It would give my mouth sores, give me acid reflux or a sore stomach. If you listen to your body you will be able to discern what is good for it. Thank goodness someone is giving them a slap on the wrist.
I completely agree with everything you wrote here! It is so unfortunate that our food system is the way it is now. When just a few generations before, everyone was growing their own food and buying just the staples from the country store…if it was even available. I wish that our government would get on board with labeling foods that have GMOs as well as getting some type of regulation on the word “natural.” I think it would be eye-opening to see it all labeled for everyone to see…and thus I don’t think it will ever happen in our country.
This stinks. I pick up Naked Juices often when on the go. Should have known better from a co that is owned by Pepsi.
Hi Vani,
My pleasure. It is important for consumers to be very aware and educated about the brands we buy from.
Live well,
Max
Hi Mary,
That is very interesting that you had such a negative physical reaction to their product. WOW! I wonder if other people noticed that as well.
Agreed about listening to what our bodies tell us. 100%!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Live well,
Max
Hi Heather,
After going to the Right2Know March this past weekend, I am encouraged that getting GMOs labeled is a real possibility. Stay tuned for my post tomorrow. Big announcement.
Thanks so much for your comment. Things used to be better and we have to make a real effort to turn the situation around.
Live well,
Max
Hi Sean,
I agree with you 100%. It is a shame we cannot trust what a label says.
We need to be super-careful about the brands that we are buying, and this is another reason to buy organic. Organic has regulations, third-party certification and enforcement.
Thanks for your comment.
Live well,
Max
that is really saddening to hear, both about kashi & naked juice. not surprised since it is owned by pepsi co, will not be purchasing from these companies ever again, there should be a list on companies that do no lie or mislead about their products..
Hi Cristina,
Yes, it is very disheartening to hear – I agree. The best way to protect ourselves and our families is to buy certified organic.
Thanks for your comment.
Live well,
Max
I was very interested to read these exposés about Naked and Kashi products. however, I came upon this posting while trying to find out if the apple juice in Naked juices comes from China, and so is associated with high levels of arsenic recently disclosed. Nothing appears to be available or required on the labels regarding the country of origin of the contents. I am also unable to find an organic substitue or equivalent so far, at Whole Foods! Thanks for any comments about my concerns and tips as to other brands available that are healthier.
Hi Doug,
Naked is not certified organic and most of the Kashi products are not certified organic either. There are many, many good brands out there and I do product reviews almost every week. If you can find a local AND organic brand, that is always a best bet. Speak to your local grocer and see if any brands fit that category.
Thanks for writing.
Live well,
Max
Max, thanks for your reply. I note that the issue of country of origin of the components somehow was obfuscated by the numerous other topics I broached. Any info on that specific concern??? Regards…
Hi Doug,
I don’t know the answer to your question about whether the apple juice in Naked comes from China. Let me ask my contact person and I’ll leave another comment here once I find out.
Live well,
Max
Hi Doug,
This was the response from my contact:
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He might be thinking about Juicey Juice or Dole. There was a federal investigation awhile back (maybe a year?) of some fruit juices and canned fruits falsely labeled as “made in USA” but being from China.
I haven’t seen anything about Naked Juice apples being from China, but I might be wrong.
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Hope that helps.
Live well,
Max
You guys should watch that documentary on Hulu called ‘The Future of Food.’ It reveals a lot of shady stuff happening between huge food/crop corporations and the strings they’re pulling in the government… It makes me want to go organic, but I feel like it’s too expensive! agh
http://www.hulu.com/watch/67878/the-future-of-food
Hi Lizzy,
I’ve seen The Future of Food, and it is very scary about what is going on. Organic can be made affordable if you cook at home and shop smartly. Sign up for my newsletter and get the 5 free tips.
Live well,
Max
Man that sucks. I was craving some bad food and was gonna go pick one of these smoothies up to satisfy my hunger. Guess I’ll go crack open a Mt. Dew instead
Hi JB,
Not to worry. There are plenty of other organic smoothie drinks out there.
Live well,
Max
Longstoryshort- due to some personal issues I fell off the rawsmoothie wagon a few months ago and have been using Naked Juice as a stand-in. Probably drank 1 or 2 a day. I didnt make the association until recently that the INSANE acid reflux was caused by Naked Juices, and not just rawsmoothie withdrawal as I assumed at first. I guess I shouldnt be so trusting of honest sounding labels.
Hi Patrick,
I am very sorry to hear this but it doesn’t surprise me in the least. I hear similar stories to yours all of the time.
Just another reason why it is so important to put quality, organic food in our bodies.
Live well,
Max
I am a father of four young children and was purchasing 3-64 ounce bottles of Naked juice everytime I went to BJ’s(big box warehouse for those who don’t know). At seven dollars a bottle it made feel all warm and fuzzy to think that I was investing in a wholesome product for my children. I was even prescribing it to my kids to help get over a cold. Well I guess I will have to go searching for an organic alternative as you have suggested. Are there any particular brands that I can ask for that come in large bottles? If so how much do these normally cost?
Thanks for your time and your wonderful article,
Paul
Hi Paul,
Given that you are a father of 4 young children, my best advice would be to get a blender and start making them smoothies. Or better yet, get a juicer and start making them juice.
It will be more cost effective and more nutritious.
Sambazon is a good, organic brand for smoothies, and each region of the country has different smoothie vendors, so it is a little hard to say.
My best advice is to start making them yourself. Good luck!!
Live well,
Max
Thank you, I was just about to make a big mistake and promote this product, It makes me so sad because I have been drinking it, making my kids drink it and getting my family to purchase it, I realize now where all the heart burn has been coming from that I never had before, I been constantly taking tums during the night and was just about to go to my doctor to get a prescription, now that I think about it the only time I don’t get heart burn is when my budget doesn’t allow me to purchase Naked Juice, luckily I figured out the connection, I need to learn to pay attention to the signals from my body, just like I gained weight from dieting when I didn’t need to, now that I am back to eating normal again, I’m starting to lose the weight I gained, my advice is a little of everything, not too much of anything, Before you eat something ask yourself, Will this benefit me? Focus on what you can eat instead of what you can’t, Eat more whole and organic foods that haven’t been proccessed.
Hi Michel,
It is very interesting because we have gotten several, very similar comments to yours – people getting sick drinking Naked Juice.
You are right. We have to listen to our bodies extremely carefully. And, yes, eat more whole and organic foods. I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Live well,
Max
As much work as it is as a work at home mom these days. I am just going to have to bite the bullet and start shopping and growing harder and making darn near everything from the most basic local ingredients I can find.
I strongly feel that many early childhood mental and physical complication are connected so how to the food and environment. The only this is the damage has already been done.
Pam
Hi Pam,
I couldn’t agree with you more. What and how kids eat will seriously impact their emotional and physical development. If I have children one day, I will do whatever I can to make sure they are eating 100% organic. It is that important.
Thanks for sharing.
Live well,
Max
I found this website searching for information on the Naked Juice for my coworkers. They drink it all the time for the ‘fiber and natural sugars’. This website is very informative and helpful and the ‘comments’ from others very useful.
thanks
Hi Beverly,
Thanks for stopping by and I am glad that you found it useful. Yes, many people have no idea about the class action lawsuit against Naked Juice.
Live well,
Max
I’m so glad I seen this. Damn I got half of my frig full with it too. I thought I was on the road. But this is very good to know.
Hi Antoni,
Happy to share this information with you. Please inform others.
Live well,
Max
Oh my -is there any integrity left out there? Thought this Naked green juice thing was a good thing…bought it for my daughter who’s battling bone cancer- Thank you for your comments everyone! What a hoax-I too got suspicious when I saw in TINY print “gently pasteurized” I called the # given on the carton to ask what exactly that meant….reduced temperature? Certain temps for certain enzymes? The gal could not answer and said she’d have to refer the question to the “parent company” -Pepsi and “red lights” went off immediately! Shame on this company!
Hi Pat,
This is just another reminder that we need to be buying organic products from high quality companies.
Live well,
Max
lol I was suspicious as soon as I saw the label on that thing:
25 servings of fruit but absolutely no vitamins!