Welch’s Threatened Over Heart Health Claims
8/14/2012
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Welch's promotes its grape juice and other products as healthy, but one group says those health benefits are actually outweighed by an overabundance of sugar and calories.
“Welch's shouldn't be slapping a heart-health icon on its grape juice and other products,” the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest said Tuesday.
“[N]ot only does Welch's juice not improve heart health,” the group alleges, “it may, on balance, do harm by contributing to insulin resistance and obesity.” The CSPI says it notified the company “that it will face a lawsuit unless it stops making heart-health claims on its juices, spreads, fruit juice cocktails, and fruit snacks.”
The group says an 8-ounce serving of Welch's juice contains 36 grams of sugar and 140 calories, more than the same amount of Coca-Cola.
"Most Americans concerned about their weight and risk of diabetes would actually do well to drink less juice," CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson said. "It's deceptive and misleading for Welch's to claim that grape juice has any special benefit to heart health."
Welch's says its Concord grapes promote heart health. Reached for comment on the CSPI's allegations Tuesday, a spokesperson for Welch's said they could not immediately provide comment.
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