V8 Splash Class Action Lawsuit Says Fruit Juice is Nothing But Sugar Water

Campbell Soup Company is facing allegations that it falsely advertised its V8 Splash juice beverages and healthy and natural, when according to a consumer class action lawsuit, they actually contain “massive amounts of refined sugar.”

Many consumers seek out natural food products and are willing to pay a lot more for these products when compared to food and beverages that are artificially flavored. Plaintiff Hortense Sims is one such consumer and was surprised to learn that the V8 Splash she purchased on multiple occasions since 2014 wasn’t as healthy as she was led to believe.

In order to hold Campbell accountable for allegedly falsely advertising its juice drink, Sims filed the V8 Splash class action lawsuit earlier this month in California federal court. She asserts claims that the juices are misbranded and falsely convey to the consumer that they are healthy, natural beverages brimming with healthful fruit and vegetable juices. This, Sims contends, is not the case at all and that Campbell’s is actually selling artificially-flavored sugar water labeled as if it were fruit juice.

According to the 28-page complaint, V8 Splash drinks, including “Berry Blend” and “Strawberry Kiwi” actually consist of 95 percent water and high fructose corn syrup with minimal amounts of reconstituted carrot juice added for color and texture, and 2 percent or less of all fruits and berries the drinks are named for combined.

For instance, the “Tropical Blend” V8 Splash drink contains 18 grams of sugar per serving – more than Grape Kool-Aid. Additionally, the V8 Splash class action lawsuit says that Campbell’s covers up the near-absence of actual fruit juice in the beverages by adding in artificial flavoring and then concealing this fact from consumers.

“Defendants’ packaging, labeling, and advertising scheme is intended to give consumers the impression that they are buying a premium, ‘all natural’ product with natural flavoring ingredients instead of a product that is artificially flavored,” the V8 Splash class action lawsuit states.

Sims goes on to point out that V8 Splash is advertised as a good source of Antioxidant Vitamins A and C. However, the amount of refined sugar in V8 Splash actually depleted the body of antioxidants and blocks vitamin and mineral absorptions and healthful benefits.

Sims is seeking to represent a proposed Class of all California consumers who purchased V8 Splash drinks in California on or after January 1, 2012 for personal use. She is asking the court to award restitution and punitive damages and order Campbell Soup Company to conduct corrective advertising and stop its deceptive advertising of V8 Splash.

Sims and the proposed Class are represented by Ronald A. Marron and Michael T. Houchin of the Law Offices of Ronald A. Marron.

The V8 Splash False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Hortense Sims v. Campbell Soup Company, et al., Case No. 5:18-cv-00668, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.