Michelle Obama’s Juice Brand Fails Her Own Health Standards

According to a new Bloomberg report, it was found that Michelle Obama’s juice brand fails to meet her own health standards, based on discussions with 12 independent health professionals and organizations.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s touted health drink Plezi would fail the health standards set by the Obama administration, a new Bloomberg report found.

After discussing with 12 independent health professionals and organizations, the news organization found that Plezi’s current flavors released earlier this month would not meet the requirements to be served at elementary and middle schools.

“Under the Obama-era school-meal regulations currently under review, US elementary and middle schools may only serve water, milk, or 100% fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners (the regulations do permit schools to dilute juices with water) — and none of Plezi’s four current flavors meet these criteria,” the article read.

According to experts, there was concern over the “non-nutritive sweeteners” in the drink such as stevia leaf and monk-fruit extracts that could still be considered unhealthy. The World Health Organization previously published its own report on Monday advising against the use of sweeteners like stevia to control body weight. 

Nutrition experts were more critical of the former first lady for promoting a brand that may ultimately be a less healthy option.

“She has been ill-served by advisers who convinced her to start by targeting 6- to 12-year-olds with a flashy, ultra-processed beverage that may not be any healthier than diet soda.” Jerold Mande, a nutrition professor told Bloomberg.

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