Amway, Ada, MI, faces the prospect of a class action lawsuit over its Nutrilite line of liquid dietary supplements, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Washington, D.C.

Labels for Nutrilite’s “fruits & vegetables 2GO Twist Tubes” claim the product represents two servings of fruits and vegetables. The fine print clarifies that a dose “contains the antioxidant equivalent of 2 servings.”

CSPI said the company’s 10-milliliter tubes do not come close to conveying the same health benefits as real fruit or vegetables. Similarly, Amway claims that Nutrilite’s Immunity Twist Tubes are an “immune system booster” that will “protect your cells.” The immunity claim is unlawful, according to CSPI, because it implies the product will prevent disease.

The watchdog group said it would sue Amway unless the company stops advertising “unsubstantiated nutrition and health benefits” in connection with fruits and vegetables 2GO and Immunity Twist Tubes. Both product lines contain the artificial sweetener sucralose, despite a print advertisement for “fruits & vegetables 2GO” that claims the product has no artificial ingredients, CSPI added. Twist Tubes are meant to be diluted in 16 ounces of water before consuming.

“Amway is sending a horrible health message to American consumers when it holds out its Twist Tubes as a short cut to getting the health benefits of real food,” said CSPI staff litigator Seema Rattan. “People who want the health benefits of two servings of fruits and vegetables are far better off eating two servings of fruits and vegetables. And no one should be deceived into thinking that these pricey little tubes will prevent them from getting sick.”