• Ad Age , Tuesday, September 9, 2008 11 AM

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has filed a suit in Washington Superior Court to block the sale of Sparks -- one of MillerCoors' fastest-growing brands -- because it says the brand poses health risks, uses unapproved additives and employs marketing that appeals to underage drinkers.

"We do not comment on current litigation, but it is important to note that the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has approved all product formulations and labels for Sparks," MillerCoors says in a statement.

"MillerCoors is trying to hook teens and tweens on a dangerous drink," says CSPI litigation director Steve Gardner. He says the group is using the same strategy as it did when it sued KFC and Burger King in an attempt to get them to eliminate trans fats from their menus. KFC eliminated trans fats, and CSPI dropped its suit. Burger King has resisted, and a legal challenge remains. The activist group also teamed with state attorneys general to persuade Anheuser-Busch to stop selling alcoholic energy drinks in June.

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