Juice Maker Caught Red-Handed

I can't say I'm shocked or even that surprised. More like resigned to these kinds of deceptions. And unless I'm the only one who's cynical about health claims from food manufacturers, I think that says a lot about our society.

I like how they finally got caught...

Yet another reason to get the juice from the fruit itself...

Brian

Sweet. Brought down by schoolgirls.

Nice.

Shocking! Clear deception, that too in developed countries! Now I can guess what we're getting in my developing country India.

two many skin games,but I like fresh fruits more

Do I understand this correctly: The company put false nutritional information on the label???

Oh my God - there goes my childhood! I'm a New Zealander and I fricking love(d) Ribena! It was just one of the foods and drinks that I was looking forward to eating in May (I'm going home for a holiday.)

I am so disappointed.

Not surprised. They lied before about it being kind for the teeth, saying dentists everywhere agreed. They're liars. Used to LOVE the strawberry- the last time I drank, I couldn't believe how sweet it is! WAY too sweet. I can't believe I used to drink that everyday...

Nothing new here - the language of marketing is meaningless. Healthy? How can something full of sugar possibly be healthy, with or without vitamin C?

I didn't realize that this pharmaceutical company was also in the business of making beverages. Clearly they are more concerned with old mighty dollar (or English pound) than they are with the health and welfare of their customers.

No wonder I got scurvy!!

no vitamin c, no nutritional benefits, bad for teeth and those bottles are 256 cals a pop.

For years my friends Mum has not allowed her to have Coca-Cola or anything like that in the house, and instead only let her have ribena because 'at least it has some good value' because of the black currents etc. I think the fine is measely because the public probably wont hear about this in a huge way and parents will still give it to their children thinking it's healthy. It's dispicable.

No blackcurrants is to me, a bigger deception than no vitamin C. There should be legislation that it can only be called "juice" if it contains X% juice, just like they have legislation for the uses of "diet", "light", etc.

I agree with Brian. If you want fruit juice EAT THE FRUIT. This is not new. We have long understood the low nutritional value of 99% of the fruit juices on the market and the high calorie content. Drink water, eat fruit.
www.thebestlifeever.com

I'm amazed that they've got away with this for so long. Advertising sugar and flavored water as a health drink is outrageous.

As for the Vitamin C -- that's arguably something we get plenty of in our diet anyway...

When I was in high school I used to drink Ribena if I was getting a cold! Bastards.

Hey Kelly@dietfacts: pharmaceuticals companies are not interested in health - that would be bad for business!

I love it that it was two young teens that essentially blew the whistle! Consumers CAN make a difference.

I had been following this bit of news when it came out a few weeks ago...I did not read anywhere that there were also no blackcurrents as quoted by the NZ Herald?

But it is not surprising really when you think about how the syrup is processed. Prolonged heat will destroy Vit. C as most consumers know - some vitamins survive up to a certain temp...but not Vit C. So this was the ready made Ribena drink, their watered down syrup.

On German television they showed once how fruit syrups are made...lots of heat involved. Which is why - at least here in Europe - when a product similar to this says Vit C, it is added to the product after it has cooled...and of course it will be artificial product.

Yes, get the Vit C from your fresh vegetables and fruit like someone else here pointed out.

And I named my first born Ribena... oh the lies... oh the shame.

I am not sure why people are so shocked the UK did huge research into it in 1997 or there about and found it to be very damaging to children's health and that is why they brought out the tooth friendley version of the same chemical rubbish.

Anyone with the internet can research these proucts and find out the truth before the give it their kids.

I am convinced all those girls did was google the product!!!!!

STACY YOU ARE OH SO RIGHT FRUIT JUICES ARE HIGH IN SUGAR IT MAY BE NATURAL SUGAR ,BUT IT IS STILL SUGAR EAT THE FRUIT AND DRINK WATER YOU ARE BETTER OFF.IN THE LONG RUN NO MAGIC CURE

I'll never take a Ribena bath again!1!!11one

A HUGE bravo to those girls. Way to go, you!! Pharmcos have been lying to us for years and you just proved it. I admire your determination. You deserve a Nobel Prize for hard work, intelligence, and perseverance.