Wings not included!

Contrary to popular belief, Red Bull does not actually give you wings. “The energy drink company recently agreed to pay consumers more than $13 million to settle a proposed U.S. class-action suit accusing the beverage maker of false advertising”. Anyone who purchased one can of Red Bull between January 1, 2002 and October 3, 2014 is entitled to $10 cash, or $15 in Red Bull products. There is no proof of purchase required to be included in the settlement. Final court approval of the proposed payouts is set to be decided May 1, 2015. 

In 2013, avid Red Bull drinker Benjamin Careathers stated that the company falsely advertised the drink’s ability to boost performance and energy. The lawsuit states, “Even though there is a lack of genuine scientific support for a claim that Red Bull branded energy drinks provide any more benefit to a consumer than a cup of coffee, the Red Bull defendants persistently and pervasively market their product as a superior source of ‘energy’ worthy of a premium price over a cup of coffee or other sources of caffeine”. Red Bull’s marketing supposedly deceives consumers into thinking they should purchase their energy drink over a cup of coffee. Despite the lawsuit, Red Bull claims to have done nothing wrong. It also claims that its marketing has always been completely accurate.

The energy drink’s popularity has sparked an uprising over Social Media. Users are mocking those who expected Red Bull to actually give you wings. Red Bull’s advertising tactics apparently gave unrealistic expectations to it’s consumers, making them victim to a lawsuit and $13 million payout.