ericgooch.com

I noticed after recently taking a swig from a bottle of Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice that it tasted nothing like grapefruit juice at all. It was like pink Kool-Aid. At first I thought it was a bad batch, because that happens to companies every once in a while.

Then a coworker pointed out that the ingredients were actually different, despite the main label still saying the same thing.

Here's a copy of my letter to Tropicana:

"I am fortunate enough to work at a company that brings in free beverages and snacks for the employees. I have long been a Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit drinker, but that's changed recently due to strange alterations you've made to the recipe. The strange part is that the UPC codes are the same on the "old" and "new" versions, but the ingredients are different! What are you guys doing? The new stuff tastes awful. Please let me know which version you're going to stick with, so I can advise our company as to whether or not we should continue with Tropicana product."

 And here's their reply:

"Eric:

We are sorry you disliked the new version of Tropicana Ruby Red Grapefruit 100% Juice Blend.

Because of the loss of much of Florida's grapefruit crop due to hurricanes in the past several years, we changed the formula.  With the new formula came new nutrition values. Please be assured that we will share your comments with our Marketing Group. Full value coupons to replace the product have been sent via the US Postal Service. They should arrive within 7-10 business days."

______________________________________

Priceless. So because there's a shortage of grapefruit juice, Tropicana decides to change the recipe and hope nobody notices. The label still says "100% Juice" followed by "Ruby Red Grapefruit." But in the fine print at the bottom, what used to say "Grapefruit Juice from Concentrate" now says "Flavored Juice Blend from Concentrate".

The first ingredient in the original juice was grapefruit juice from concentrate.

The first ingredient in the new juice? Filtered water. Since when is filtered water 100% juice?

Asshats.