A false allegation that the Snapple Beverage Corporation supports anti-abortion organizations was spread across campus last week via electronic mail.
"We do not support or provide funds for any organizations involved in controversial or political positions," Snapple Public Relations Director Wendy Kaufman stated in a prepared statement.
Campus sales of Snapple, the most popular beverage here, were not affected by the rumors. Dartmouth Dining Services has sold over 5,000 bottles of Snapple per week since its introduction in the fall of 1992, Dining Services Director Pete Napolitano said.
Napolitano said no students have asked Dining Services to discontinue selling Snapple.
The electronic mail message was fowarded to Greek Houses and other student organizations, reaching a large portion of the campus. Most students dismissed the allegations as rumor.
"I received a blitz and decided to call Snapple myself before I sent it on," Heidi Gamer '95 said. "I called and the woman in advertising said that they would not make a comment either way, so I am now boycotting Snapple until I know for sure that my money is not going to pro-life groups."
Kaufman acknowledged consumer concern about the accusations.
"We have received several inquiries relating to a rumor that Snapple is providing funding or making contributions to anti-abortion groups. Such information is totally untrue!" she stated.
In the past the Snapple Corporation has been falsely accused of supporting white supremacist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, and of making their iced tea in South Africa despite the apartheid rule. Last fall the company hired a detective and sent out fliers in response to anti-Snapple propaganda but could not identify the source of the rumors.
In a sworn affidavit last fall, Snapple's Chief Operating Officer Arnold Greenberg wrote, "At no time has Snapple ever participated in any program supporting any pro-life groups."
Snapple's advertisements on "The Rush Limbaugh Show," a politically conservative syndicated television and radio show, may have led to the corporation's false linkage to these organizations as well as to Operation Rescue, a well known anti-abortion group.
"The Snapple Corporation is a loyal advertiser on the show," Oron Strauss '95 said. "When Snapple comes out with a new flavor, Rush will give it a plug."
Regardless of the recent allegations against the Snapple Corporation, and despite its cost of $1.25, Snapple outsells the 130 other beverages available on campus.
