Consumer Advocacy Group Alleges Amway Deception

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer food advocacy group, said it will sue Amway unless it stops advertising unsubstantiated nutrition and health benefits in connection with "fruits and vegetables 2GO" and "Immunity Twist Tubes."

CSPI says labels for Nutrilite's "fruits and vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes" claim in big print that the product is equivalent to two servings of fruits and vegetables. The fine print clarifies that it "contains the antioxidant equivalent of 2 servings." However, the center says that the 10-millileter tubes don't come close to conveying the same health benefits as real fruit and vegetables.

Amway's claims for Nutrilite's Immunity Twist Tubes are unlawful, according to the center, because they imply that the product will prevent disease when it will not. The Strawberry Kiwi flavor of Immunity Twist Tubes contains neither strawberry nor kiwi, despite pictures of those fruits on the box.

'Amway is sending a horrible health message to American consumers when it holds out its Twist Tubes as a short cut to getting the health benefits of real food,' said CSPI staff litigator Seema Rattan. 'People who want the health benefits of two servings of fruits and vegetables are far better off eating two servings of fruits and vegetables. And no one should be deceived into thinking that these pricey little tubes will prevent them from getting sick.'

CSPI sent a letter to Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel, saying that the labeling and advertising for Nutrilite products violates federal regulations and consumer protection laws in several states.