A COCONUT water brand that radio heavyweight Kyle Sandilands part owns and model Lara Bingle endorsed has been caught making questionable health claims.
H2Coco has prompted a Consumer Affairs Victoria probe after being spruiked as “a complex blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, anti*oxidants, enzymes, health-*enhancing growth hormones and other phytonutrients”.
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When challenged to supply proof, the state watchdog says the business failed to substantiate the claims.
H2Coco Pty Ltd and director David Freeman acknow*ledged potentially misleading consumers “unintentionally”, and recently signed an *enforceable undertaking to abide by the law.
CAV detected the suspect health spiel on the company’s website and in a magazine promotion in February.
“As part of the Consumer Affairs health claims project, focused on alternative therapy and treatments, we took action to help protect consumers from misleading and false health promises,” CAV director Dr Claire Noone said.
Lara Bingle in an ad for the brand. Source: Supplied
H2Coco is part of the expanding coconut water craze.
It is sold nationally in supermarkets, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and other outlets.
Sandilands has a stake in the fast-growing brand. Bingle launched the product in 2012.
The NSW-based firm’s amended website now dubs the product a “water of life” that “naturally rehydrates and restores wellbeing”.
“It’s an all-natural, fat-free, low-calorie health drink, packed with potassium,” the site reads.
Mr Freeman said: “We’re proud to be a leader in the market and 100 per cent believe in our much-loved product and what it represents.”
CAV said the undertaking commits to ensuring all product claims and representations are “correct, factual and able to be substantiated”.
Dietitian Melanie McGrice said for a fraction of the cost, people could get the same hydration and potassium benefits of coconut water from tap water and eating bananas or potatoes. “You are better off drinking tap water as it has less kilojoules,” she added.
Originally published as H2Coco’s ‘health’ claims are just loco
H2Coco has prompted a Consumer Affairs Victoria probe after being spruiked as “a complex blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, anti*oxidants, enzymes, health-*enhancing growth hormones and other phytonutrients”.
DIET SHOWDOWN: WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU?
PALEO DIET: WE TEST PALEO CLAIMS
When challenged to supply proof, the state watchdog says the business failed to substantiate the claims.
H2Coco Pty Ltd and director David Freeman acknow*ledged potentially misleading consumers “unintentionally”, and recently signed an *enforceable undertaking to abide by the law.
CAV detected the suspect health spiel on the company’s website and in a magazine promotion in February.
“As part of the Consumer Affairs health claims project, focused on alternative therapy and treatments, we took action to help protect consumers from misleading and false health promises,” CAV director Dr Claire Noone said.
Lara Bingle in an ad for the brand. Source: Supplied
H2Coco is part of the expanding coconut water craze.
It is sold nationally in supermarkets, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse and other outlets.
Sandilands has a stake in the fast-growing brand. Bingle launched the product in 2012.
The NSW-based firm’s amended website now dubs the product a “water of life” that “naturally rehydrates and restores wellbeing”.
“It’s an all-natural, fat-free, low-calorie health drink, packed with potassium,” the site reads.
Mr Freeman said: “We’re proud to be a leader in the market and 100 per cent believe in our much-loved product and what it represents.”
CAV said the undertaking commits to ensuring all product claims and representations are “correct, factual and able to be substantiated”.
Dietitian Melanie McGrice said for a fraction of the cost, people could get the same hydration and potassium benefits of coconut water from tap water and eating bananas or potatoes. “You are better off drinking tap water as it has less kilojoules,” she added.
Originally published as H2Coco’s ‘health’ claims are just loco