Japan Watchdog Warns Kirin Over '100% Melon Taste' Juice With 2% Melon

The Consumers Affairs Agency on Sept. 6 ordered Tokyo-based Kirin Beverage Co. to take recurrence prevention measures after deeming the label on its mixed juice carton that showed the product contained mostly melon juice violated the law against misleading representation, Rikka Teramachi reported for Mainichi Japan.

Photo Insert: About 98% of the juice in that product is actually from grapes, apples, and bananas, and only 2% is from melons.

The targeted label was used from June 2020 to April 2022 for Tropicana's "Real Fruit Experience 100% Melon Taste" juice in a 900ml carton priced at 250 yen (about $1.75) before tax.

The words "100% Melon Taste," "selected muskmelon," and an illustration of a straw stuck in a melon were displayed on the box. According to the agency, about 98% of the juice in that product is actually from grapes, apples, and bananas, and only 2% is from melons.

In April, the company received a warning from the agency and has changed the design of its carton. In addition to enlarging the illustrations of fruits other than melons, it continues selling the product after it modified "100% Melon Taste" to "100% Fruit Juice."

A spokesperson for Kirin Holdings Co. commented, "Because of the product name 'Melon Taste,' the melon was made to stand out. We apologize for any misunderstanding."

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