Canada Dry sued over lack of ginger in ginger ale

[left-of-center2012]

Ginger has long been touted as a natural remedy for tummy aches. But drinking a glass of ginger ale, it seems, is not quite the same as chewing on a fresh piece of the root, and at least one consumer feels she was misled about the potential health benefits of the carbonated drink.

A federal lawsuit filed earlier this month in Buffalo, New York, claims Canada Dry and parent company Dr Pepper Snapple Group led consumers to believe their ginger ale product contained real ginger.

"Instead, Canada Dry Ginger Ale is made from carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, preservatives and 'natural flavors,' i.e., a flavor compound comprised predominately of flavor extracts not derived from ginger, and a minuscule amount of a ginger flavor extract," alleges the suit filed on behalf of Julie Fletcher, according to the Buffalo News.

"Ms. Fletcher believed this meant that Canada Dry was made using ginger root and was, as a result, a healthier alternative to regular sodas," Michael J. DeBenedictis, her lawyer, reportedly said in the lawsuit.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/canada-dry-sued-over-lack-of-ginger-in-ginger-ale/

[Liberty Belle]

1. Good. I hope she wins.

I thought it had ginger in it, too. Very deceptive, as ginger does have excellent properties for your health. I drank ginger tea and carried gingersnaps around when pregnant to stop feeling nauseous; worked 100% of the time. Ginger supplements also help with all sorts of inflammatory problems.

Does anybody make ginger ale with therapeutic amounts of real ginger?

[applegrove]

3. Try ginger lemon tea. Also candied ginger. I used to work at a

healthfood store in my early 20s. The four or five times I came in hungover my bosses got me to eat candied ginger. It burns lovely in your stomach and then clears your head. Worked like a charm.

[left-of-center2012]

7. "Bruce Cost Ginger Ale" has real ginger

[oxbow]

10. Zevia uses real ginger + no sugar

It’s sweetened w stevia

[Dr Hobbitstein]

14. Reed's Extra Ginger Brew.

Super strong ginger bite. Like biting on the root.
The BEST.

[Cha]

19. Yeah Reed's is strong! I like Gingerade Kombucha.. kinda

reminds me of what Ginger Beer would taste like because it's so effervescent! It has fresh pressed raw ginger juice in it.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

34. I'm not much into any sort of kombucha...

But I have been thinking about brewing up some real ginger ale. I used to brew beer a lot, and still have my whole setup, including the keg. I found a good recipe, but it calls for about 5lbs of ginger root. One of these days I'll do it up...

[Cha]

36. Sounds like a worthwhile endeavor..

[Dr Hobbitstein]

39. Indeed! nt

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Somehow, I Think She Won't

When I got to "miniscule amount of ginger", I got doubtful that this lawsuit could win.
Since they make no health claims, they only need to have more than zero ginger to put that phrase on their cans.
I know anybody can sue anybody over anything, but this one seems quite tenuous

[Blue_true]

43. You are right. They are sneaky, but they will get away with it.

All they said is they use real ginger, that could be 1 ppb and the claim would still be valid if they used real ginger. Stinks, but that is how business law works a lot of the time.

[sl8]

31. Have you tried switchel?

AKA haymakers punch:

https://www.almanac.com/blog/cooking/cooking/switchel-haymakers-punch-recipe

[Blue_true]

41. You can make your own Ginger Ale at home.

I want mention companies because I will get alerted for advertising. But by Ginger essential oil where the oil was extracted by the super critical CO2 method (highly pure ginger oil extract). Mix a few drops into plain, cooled carbonated water and add sugar if you want. The ginger oil is strong because of the purity, you may have to run a test to get the ginger ale strength that you want.

[Boxerfan]

2. Vernors-still the best....

Hard to find nowadays. Real ginger & we keep it in the house if we can during cold season.

[PoliticAverse]

5. Old Tyme Jamacian Style Ginger Beer...

[RhodeIslandOne]

8. And you know who makes Vernors now?

Snapple/Dr Pepper.....the same company getting sued here.....

[shraby]

12. I agree with you. Vernors I could get in Michigan for a long time, but after moving

to Wisconsin I couldn't. They started having it here a couple of years ago.

[tblue37]

65. It's available on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_18?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=vernors+ginger+ale&sprefix=Vernors+ginger+ale%2Coffice-products%2C362&crid=2EM0U9TPAHUSH&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Avernors+ginger+ale

[Codeine]

22. Comes from the same company.

So does Schweppes for that matter, though it’s usually distributed by other companies. All products of Keurig/Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

[rurallib]

27. We're going to have like 5 companies to buy everything from someday won't we?

a food company
a news and entertainment company
a drug company
a dry goods company
a transportation company

Many years ago there was a company that sued another company for paying infringement or something. When they got to court they found out they were both owned by the same conglomerate. Or so I recall. Maybe it's an urban legend.

[Blue_true]

44. No. You're going to have one Amazon. It basically either has everything,

buys up everything, or work with small companies as their storefront and pursor. The one great thing about Amazon in a small company with a great product can get an immediate store to sell their stuff and bypass the expense of setting up a store. The downside is that Amazon will eventually dominate every facet of commerce, even medicine once Bezos moves it in that direction, Amazon has already become the biggest conduit for over the counter products and supplements, so drugs may not be a big stretch for it.

[Doreen]

60. Yes, other than Reeds and one name I can not remember Vernors is my faorite also.

There is only one store in my town who sells it.

[braddy]

4. Good

[Blue_true]

45. She is going to lose more than likely.

Look carefully at that can. All they have to have in the drink is a smidgen of real ginger for the claim to be valid. Honestly, anyone that has drank a real ginger drink know that Canada Dry is not the real deal.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. Yeah, when they specifically say it's made from real ginger

it should be. We went through a lot of ginger ale when my mom was on chemo. Personally, I like Reed's Extra Ginger Beer. Feel the burn!

[Dr Hobbitstein]

13. Hell yeah. Reed's Extra is the BEST! nt

[Blue_true]

47. Made from real ginger could be 1 ppb and the claim would be valid.

Honestly, I think that the company is a rat, but anyone that has drank true ginger ale should know that Canada Dry isn't it.

[dweller]

9. I e always preferred Schweppes

but I grew up with parents who brewed? concocted our own root beer and ginger ale, so knew only the best... and then there was the occasional late nite explosion of a bottle in the pantry that over-carbonated and blew, so it was fun...

to this day only drink Schwepps ✌🏼️

[Codeine]

24. Schweppes probably has even less ginger

in it, as it doesn’t make a “real ginger” claim in the label. In any case it almost certainly doesn’t contain more, as it is made by the same people who make Canada Dry.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

11. Reed's is my favorite.

Lots of real ginger. Lots of bite. Super tasty. Settles the stomach nicely (refreshing on a hot day, as well). I prefer the Extra Ginger variety.

Also spendy at ~$6/4-pack.

[Awsi Dooger]

15. They should be sued for effectively getting rid of Canada Dry 10

That was by far my favorite drink for years. Now it is virtually impossible to find.

[Codeine]

23. It was an awful seller.

Fully 75% of shipped Ten product was returned to the warehouse past its sell-by date.

[Awsi Dooger]

38. I gathered that

Lower the production

The only one I see now is Dr Pepper 10

[Blue_true]

48. Have you ever set up a volume production line?

Lower the production is a cute phrase, but something that is difficult to make a profit off of. If the demand for a product don't allow a company to get a certain ROI on it, the company is foolish to make it form a business standpoint, the one exception area would be a critical need medication, the company can float some of the production cost on to medicines that sell at bigger volume, or write the loss on the critical need medicine off during tax resolution time (typically quarterly).

[Awsi Dooger]

52. It is still being produced

Product still on the website. All the details. Reviews are evaluated and posted. But everyone reports the same thing -- they love the drink but can't find it anymore.

I've checked via zip code and apparently it is only being distributed in the West.

https://www.canadadry.com/products/ginger-ale-ten

[Blue_true]

54. Maybe the West is only where it is selling. nt

[Awsi Dooger]

69. Low sugar products seem to be more popular in the West

I haven't seen specifics on that but from spending time in Miami and Las Vegas it is incredible how many more low sugar desserts are available in grocery stores in Las Vegas than in Miami. Stores like Smiths will have stuff I can't pretend to find in the East.

[edbermac]

16. They should sue the makers of Girl Scout cookies.

[TheBlackAdder]

17. Perhaps they blow a fan over a piece of ginger root, and a few molecules lands in each bottle :-D

[left-of-center2012]

26. Or a woman named Ginger works at the bottling plant?

[Doreen]

62. The image that instantly came to mind with that is not pretty.

[Mendocino]

18. I put ginger in my

oatmeal along with nutmeg, cinnamon and coriander. Real herbs and spices are key.

[lindysalsagal]

21. It's still good. So don't buy it.

[tavernier]

25. She doesn't claim any injury from this misrepresentation.

I think injury or death would make her claim stronger.

[dembotoz]

28. next you are gonna tell me coca cola no longer contains cocaine.....

oh the humanity

[left-of-center2012]

29. Is there any pepper in Dr Pepper?

[WillowTree]

35. Not only that, there's no doctor in it, either.

[miyazaki]

42. Perhaps it should be called Doctored Pepper. nt

[Nevernose]

40. What's it say on the can?

If it says prominently on the front of the can “Made from REAL COCAINE,” then it’s safe to assume that the imbiber isn’t sleeping any time soon, or that it’s a joke.

Granted, drinking ginger ale for ostensible health reasons seems pretty dumb, but intentionally lying to consumers on food packaging seems pretty dumb, too.

[Texasgal]

55. I think it's more the

truth in advertising issue. Atleast that's what I'd be pissed about.

[Siwsan]

30. For anyone able to buy Faygo, they make a great Gold Ginger Ale

It is specifically labeled as "Gold" and is different from their regular ginger ale. I think it is as good, if not better than, Vernors. Trouble is, not everyone carries it, with the other Faygo flavors so when I find it, I stock up.

[Johonny]

32. It's not even dry, the crap is filled with water too!

[KentuckyWoman]

49. You win the thread

Made me snort laugh.

[OnDoutside]

33. I'd like to drink Canada dry

[Major Nikon]

37. Pretty simple to make your own

Chop up some ginger and run through a blender with some water. Add as much of the extract to carbonated water as you like. Add some sugar and/or lemon juice as desired. Voila, ginger ale. Add some yeast, sugar and ferment instead if you want ginger beer.

[Blue_true]

50. You use the root. I would use Ginger essential oil extract.

That is portable, can go to the office or on trips. All a person would need to find is pure carbonated water and some sugar, and in your case, a lemon or bottled lemon juice.

[GulfCoast66]

46. Hope she wins. But does the ire here extend to milk?

Grass fed organic Whole milk is the basis for some of the most healthy Northern European derived folks who have the gene to process lactose. Myself included. Since switching to a breakfast of tons of fruit and whole fermented milk products my health and weight have improved.

Should products that are 100% plant based be called milk? Not arguing the health benefits of the products which is unquestionable. Only advertising laws. In my mind we cannot have it both ways.

As an example: everyone calls all adjustable end wrenches Cressent Wrenches. But only one company can use that name.

Not willing to go to the mat on the issue. Just curious.

[Blue_true]

51. Milk is a generic term.

It has been associated with cows, but the term has been used for centuries to refer to fluids excreted by plants (plant milk). If the cow milk diary industry sues the plant milk industry, the likely outcome would be where things are now, milk used to refer to a fluid that looks white.

[GulfCoast66]

53. Well, I'm am a somewhat well read 52 year old guy.

And with the exception of Milk of Magnesia I can’t think of any products mass marketed to consumers that was called milk prior to 15 years ago or so.

I guess maybe coconut milk. But it was obvious.

I am not against using the milk label for other things as long as it is clear what the product actually is. But in my grocery they are side by side.

And what caused my post was my shopping for liquid yogurt/Kefir tonight. I was presented with a yogurt product that down lable said it was non-milk yogurt. There is no such thing as non milk yogurt. It is fermented plant stuff.

That should not be allowed. Truth in advertising laws may at times kill our sacred cows(pun not really intended).

[Blue_true]

57. Actually.

Plant milks have been available in health food stores for a lot longer than 15 years. Maybe 15 years is where they gained mass appeal.

I drink diary kefir as a digestive aid, but plant kefir have been around for many decades.

I can't comment on your yogurt observation since I have only sought out diary yogurt, very specific brands at that.

[GulfCoast66]

61. I'm cool with all that.

But normally plant-based products are separated from real milk.

But today I saw a product of that claim to be yogurt, but it was actually plant-based being sold side by side with real yogurt.

That is not right. A product that contains no milk whatsoever should not be able to claim the name yogurt.

It is for fermented plant protein with tons of artificial chemicals to make that process possible When my ancestors stored milk for more than a day it turned into yogurt, or kefir or whatever you want to call it. Buttermilk is what my grandmother got if milk was stored more than a day. And my ancestors lived on buttermilk!

[Blue_true]

63. I will have to read up on what is called plant yogurt.

Have no exposure to it. Even in the health food store that I visit, I only look at some brands of milk yogurt, so I don't know what else is there.

[GulfCoast66]

64. Have you ever made your own yogurt?

It’s really easy. Use organic whole milk and inoculated it with the correct bacteria. It’s the same thing your great grandparents did.

Look it up online. Only takes about 12 hours and all you have to do is wait.

Since we are so germ phobic in this country most people think it’s crazy, but it’s what my ancestor did for thousands of years.

[Blue_true]

66. No, I have never made yogurt.

There are a lot of things that I eat that I will never make myself. Yogurt is one of them. Maybe if I had a wife of child that had special dietary needs and commercial stuff was inadequate, but since I don't have a wife or child.

Hey, I looked up a little science on yogurt. The key part is that the culture acts on proteins, so any plant that has the right kind of proteins can form a yogurt. Milk yogurt has been made longer because humans have domesticated animals and extracted their milk for many centuries and used animal stomachs to store the milk, the stomachs caused curd in some cases. It is reasonable to assume that if early man knew how to extract certain types of plant liquids and exposed them to curding bacteria, plant yogurt would be centuries old.

I would not get bent over plant yogurts. There are a lot of people who simply can not eat cow milk based products of any type, plant yogurts and plant milks were first crafted for those people. I would guess that parents that have children that have to eat plant yogurt may eat the stuff themselves to prevent the child from feeling left out.

[democratisphere]

56. That fake ginger ale is now off my menu.

Crooked corporate bastards screwing the consumer.

[Blue_true]

67. There are a lot of real ginger ales. Just look around if you have a big grocer.

Or go to a health food store.

[Ms. Toad]

58. There are no potential health benefits

When the ingredient list is:

carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, sodium benzoate, natural flavors and caramel colors.

The ingredient list is clear - it is largely carbonated water and corn syrup. Anyone with an IQ in the range considered average intelligence or above, who doesn't understand this, has misplaced the brains they were born with.

[Kaleva]

59. Trump will soon be tweeting about the fake CANADA Dry Ginger Ale

[Takket]

68. Oh please

It is fucking soda. It is bad for you. Guess what, there is no oranges in orange soda or grapes in grape soda either.

Canada Dry does not purport to be some sort of health food.

It has a “minuscule amount” of ginger. The ingredients and nutrition facts are right there in the can if you want to read them. At worst the amount of ginger is intentionally not well defined. And if that is a problem the beef is with the FDA for allowing this kind of labeling.