Jog in a Jug Doesn’t Hold Water With Feds; Firm to Pay

An Alabama company has run into trouble with federal authorities for its claim that a few ounces of juice and vinegar a day can provide the health benefits of jogging, with no more effort than raising a glass. The marketers of Jogging in a Jug have agreed to pay $480,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that their advertising made false and unsubstantiated health claims. The company, Third Option Laboratories Inc. of Muscle Shoals, Ala., also agreed to include disclaimers in future advertising and labeling and will avoid unsubstantiated health claims. The company, while agreeing to a settlement, denies charges that it misled consumers.

Jogging in a Jug, a mixture of apple juice, grape juice and vinegar, was promoted by Third Option’s owner, retired dairy farmer Jack McWilliams, who said in advertisements that he began offering the product after his arthritis pain and symptoms of heart disease disappeared with the use of his home tonic. The product sold for $5.95 per half-gallon and was promoted with advertisements that made statements such as: “Too old to take up running? Maybe you should start drinking instead . . . drinking Jogging in a Jug, that is.” Ads promoted claims that, by drinking two ounces of the mixture a day, people could improve their circulation, lower their cholesterol, reduce the risk of cancer, cleanse internal organs and cure constipation or dysentery. The FTC said there is no evidence to back any of those claims.