Coca-Cola sued for downplaying health risks of sugary drinks

Coca-Cola spokesman Kent Landers called the lawsuit legally and factually meritless

Coca-Cola Co and the American Beverage Association trade group were sued on Wednesday for allegedly misleading consumers about the health risks from consuming sugary beverages.

The nonprofit Praxis Project accused the defendants of downplaying the risks to boost sales, despite scientific evidence linking sugary beverages to obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Praxis accused both defendants of using euphemisms such as “balance” and “calories in, calories out” to mislead consumers, and Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, of trying to mislead the public into thinking a lack of exercise was the real cause of obesity.

“The notion that Coke’s products can be part