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Splenda to Face Charges of False Advertising

Source: PR Newswire
Published: May 03, 2005

A federal court in Los Angeles ruled on April 15 that the makers of the "No Calorie Sweetener" Splenda will face allegations that their marketing and advertising campaign is both false and misleading.



The lawsuit, filed by the Sugar Association in December 2004, wants to force McNeil Nutritionals and parent company Johnson & Johnson to change their alleged deceptive advertising practices. The Sugar Association claims McNeil has spent millions on a marketing and advertising campaign that has "mislead many Americans" into believing that "Splenda is as natural as sugar."

The Splenda web site says: "What makes SPLENDA Brand Sweetener an ideal no calorie sweetener?" is that it is "Made from sugar, so it tastes like sugar." But the Sugar Association says different: "Splenda is a hydrocarbon containing chlorine; it is not sugar, and it is not natural. It is in fact an artificial chemical sweetener."

The success of Splenda in America has had a financial impact on the sugar industry. "It is clear that thousands of sugar growers in the United States are suffering financially because of consumer confusion thinking Splenda is natural," the Sugar Association said in a statement.

"The Splenda Lawsuit is about protecting profits; protecting profits is about protecting consumers from false advertising," said L. Mario Lozano, Legal News Watch editor.

Read Full Story at PR Newswire

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