FDA and FTC asked to stop Coca-Cola, Pepsi from falsely advertising unhealthy ‘diet’ soda

‘How is it that a product that can make people gain weight is allowed to be labeled as “diet”? Doesn’t that word imply that it aids in shedding pounds and is something that those hoping to lose or maintain weight should gravitate towards?

Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc.’s advertising and overall branding of some sodas as “diet” is misleading, so much so that the advocacy group U.S. Right to Know is asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the companies for false advertising. The group says that the use of the word “diet” is a misnomer because the artificial sweeteners that are used in their diet products have been found to cause weight gain rather than weight loss. Diet Coke is sweetened with aspartame, while Diet Pepsi uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium to sweeten its soda.’

Read more: FDA and FTC asked to stop Coca-Cola, Pepsi from falsely advertising unhealthy 'diet' soda