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Red Bull to pay $15m after being sued for wings ‘lie’

Soft drink company Red Bull has agreed to pay more than $14.8 million for inaccurately promising to give consumers the ability to fly.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff specifically claimed the company’s slogan – “Red Bull gives you wings” – was misleading.

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According to BevNet, the plaintiff – who has been a Red Bull drinker for 12 years – said the promise of improved physical performance was false.

Rather, he argued, his athletic ability was not improved and the boost he received from the beverage was merely the effect of caffeine.

The lawsuit stated, “even though there is a lack of genuine scientific support for a claim that Red Bull branded energy drinks provide any more benefit to a consumer than a cup of coffee, the Red Bull defendants persistently and pervasively market their product as a superior source of ‘energy’ worthy of a premium price over a cup of coffee or other sources of caffeine.”

“Such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull’s] advertising and marketing is not just ‘puffery,’ but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable.”

According to The Consumerist, if the settlement is accepted anyone who purchased a can of Red Bull in the last 10 years would be reimbursed.

Red Bull issued a statement regarding the proposed settlement, saying, “Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labelling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.”

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