Debate whether or not Coca-Cola is deliberately trying to deceive consumers into believing that Vitaminwater is a healthy alternative to soda. Which psychological factor is most affected by the product name and ad claims and might influence consumers to purchase this product?
Vitaminwater—sounds healthy, right? Although Vitaminwater has vitamins, it also has thirty-three grams—that’s two heaping tablespoons—of sugar, making it not much better than a soda. Vitaminwater, owned by Coca-Cola, has been under fire from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a consumer-advocacy group that fights for safer, more nutritious foods. The CSPI filed a class-action lawsuit against Coca-Cola, claiming names for Vitaminwater flavors such as “endurance peach mango” and “focus kiwi strawberry” are misleading for two reasons: (1) The drinks contain zero to one percent juice, and (2) words like endurance, focus, defense, rescue, and energy imply health benefits. Coca-Cola’s defense was that reasonable consumers would not be misled into believing that Vitaminwater is healthy for them.