HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal on Monday announced an investigation into claims by
Coca-Cola and Nestle that their new drink can burn calories and not
"voodoo nutrition."
Blumenthal's investigation focuses on Enviga, a green-tea drink
that contains caffeine, calcium and a green tea extract known as
epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. Coke says EGCG speeds up
metabolism and increases energy use, especially when combined with
caffeine.
An Enviga Web site claims that the drink's blend of green tea and
caffeine burns more calories than it contains and can help drinkers
maintain an ideal weight. According to a Nestle study, young people
who drank three of the 12-ounce drinks a day burned an average of
106 calories.
Blumenthal demanded copies of all scientific studies, clinical
trials, tests and papers that prove the calorie-burning claim by
next week.
Unless there are credible scientific studies, claims "may be
nothing more than voodoo nutrition," Blumenthal said. "Promise of
wondrous weight loss must be supported by science, not
magic."
Calls were placed to Coke and Nestle seeking comment.
Enviga's Web site says the drink is available in New York, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania, with a national release scheduled this
year.
A nonprofit watchdog group, Center for Science in the Public
Interest, have threatened to sue Coke and Nestle over their Enviga
claims. Coke officials called the lawsuit threat a "meritless
publicity stunt."
