Naked Juice fans who bought the beverage in the last six years could get up to $75 in payments from a $9 million class action settlement, according to ABC News.
The class action lawsuit is a response to the brand's alleged misuse of health phrases. Plaintiffs questioned the company's claims of "100 percent juice," "100 percent Fruit," "From Concentrate," "All Natural," "All Natural Fruit," "All Natural Fruit + Boosts" and "Non-GMO."Naked Juice flavors like Green Machine, and other products are listed on NakedJuiceClass.com,
"The lawsuit claims that the eligible products contain ingredients that are not 'All Natural' and contain GMOs (or Genetically Modified Organisms). Naked Juice denies all these claims," the settlement website says. Some products are made with genetically altered soy, the lawsuit alleges.
According to NakedJuiceClass.com, individuals who purchased the beverage between Sept. 27, 2007 and Aug. 19, 2013 will be sent a claim form electronically or through mail by Dec. 17, 2013.
Other individuals who purchased the beverage and still have proof are entitled to cash payment of up to $75 while those without proof are eligible for up to $45, depending on how much you spent on Naked Juice.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, was consolidated from five class action complaints filed against Naked Juice, which is owned by PepsiCo. According to ABC News the lawsuit reportedly claimed the company violated state and federal laws and consumer protection statutes related to advertising, labeling and marketing of certain products.
"Our juices and smoothies are made with all-natural fruits and vegetables-with no added sugar and no preservatives," the company spokeswoman said in a statement. "In some products, we also include an added boost of vitamins. Naked juice and smoothies will continue to be labeled 'non-GMO,' and until there is more detailed regulatory guidance around the word 'natural' -we've chosen not to use 'All Natural' on our packaging."
In a statement posted to Facebook, Naked Juice stands by its "all natural" claims but admitted it will no longer use the phrase on packaging:
"The 'all natural' claim on our label described the fruits and vegetables in the bottle-not the vitamin boosts added to some Naked beverages. Naked juice and smoothies will continue to be labeled "non-GMO," and until there is more detailed regulatory guidance around the word "natural" -we've chosen not to use "All Natural" on our packaging."
Naked Juice products will continue to bear a "non-GMO" label, although PepsiCo plans to hire a third-party expert to confirm its non-GMO status. Naked Juice, calls itself "a leader in the super-premium juice category," according to the company website. It was founded in Santa Monica, Calif., in 1983.
