Red Bull VS Kashi Cereal
Verdict DROP IT DROP IT
The Reality A 2014 class-action lawsuit, filed by plaintiff Benjamin Careathers, alleged these specific performance claims -- improved concentration and reaction speed -- were false advertising, not adequately supported by science. Red Bull settled in August 2014, agreeing to pay more than $13 million and offering any US consumer who purchased Red Bull between January 1, 2002, and October 3, 2014, a choice of $10 cash or $15 worth of Red Bull products. Red Bull did not admit wrongdoing, maintaining its marketing and labeling 'have always been truthful and accurate,' and said it settled to avoid the cost and distraction of continued litigation. A class-action lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Southern District of California identified a range of synthetic and artificial ingredients present in products carrying the 'All Natural' or 'Nothing Artificial' label, including pyridoxine hydrochloride, calcium pantothenate, hexane-processed soy ingredients, ascorbic acid, glycerin, and sodium phosphate. Kellogg settled the suit for $5 million in 2014, agreeing to drop the 'All Natural' and 'Nothing Artificial' claims from the affected products and to reformulate or relabel them nationally, with California purchasers eligible for $0.50 per product with proof of purchase.
SHORT ANSWER
Red Bull: Red Bull settled a 2014 class-action lawsuit for more than $13 million over claims that the drink improves concentration and reaction speed, offering every US purchaser since 2002 a payout, though the company did not admit the underlying claims were false.
Kashi Cereal: Kellogg paid $5 million in 2014 to settle a class-action lawsuit and agreed to drop 'All Natural' and 'Nothing Artificial' labeling from Kashi products after plaintiffs identified specific synthetic ingredients, including pyridoxine hydrochloride and hexane-processed soy, actually present in them.