Red Bull VS Nutella
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. Plaintiffs, including a mother who fed the product to her 4-year-old daughter based on the balanced-breakfast messaging, sued after discovering each serving contained 21 grams of sugar, 200 calories, and 11 grams of fat (3.5 grams saturated). Ferrero settled the resulting class action for $3 million in 2012, agreeing to pay consumers $4 per jar (up to 5 jars each), remove the 'balanced breakfast' phrase from the back label entirely, replace it with 'Turn a balanced breakfast into a tasty one,' and submit future commercials for plaintiff approval before airing.
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.
Nutella: Ferrero paid $3 million in 2012 to settle a class-action lawsuit and removed the phrase 'balanced breakfast' from Nutella's labeling after plaintiffs pointed out a single serving carries 21 grams of sugar, 200 calories, and 11 grams of fat.