Jogging in a Jug is a vinegar drink made of apple cider vinegar, with mixed juices added to make it more palatable.
Sold in 32 and 64 oz bottles, it is sold as a “A Dietary Supplement”, and carries a side disclaimer that “There is no scientific evidence that Jogging in a Jug provides any health benefits.”
Jogging in a Jug is made by Third Option Laboratories, Inc. in Tuscumbia, Alabama.
Nutrition
Claims that apple cider vinegar has any medicinal benefits are just claims, and anecdotes, with no scientific evidence to back them.
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: 1g carbohydrate, neglible amounts of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and sodium, 15 mg of potassium. No fibre, vitamins or amino acids. [1]
History Notes
Some think the idea of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar originated with a Dr DeForest Clinton Jarvis (March 15, 1881 – August 18, 1966) of Vermont.
Jogging in a Jug was created in 1985 by retired dairy farmer Jack McWilliams in Cherokee, Alabama. He said it cured his arthritis and heart disease, and could reduce cancer risk. He introduced it as a commercial product in January 1990 in a local Alabama grocery store, and set up a company, Third Option Laboratories, Inc. based in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, to sell it.
On 27 March 1992, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned him that his product claims violated American food and drug laws, because unproven health benefit claims were being made.
The product was seized by the FDA on 19 May 1994, and on 18 July 1995, they destroyed the product, saying that owing to the health benefit claims made, it was an unapproved drug. The company was fined $480,000 US. [2]
The product was relaunched with a new label that met FDA guidelines conditions. One condition imposed on them was that if they wanted to keep the product name, they have to print on the bottles, “There is no scientific evidence that Jogging in a Jug provides any health benefits.” The company went along with that condition. The other choice was do a name change, and omit any health mentions at all on the bottle.
Sources
[1] Fontenot, Beth. The sour truth about apple cider vinegar – evaluation of therapeutic use. Nutrition Forum, Nov-Dec, 1997.
[2] Henkel, John. Jogging’ drink seized, destroyed – Jogging in a Jug. FDA Consumer, Jan-Feb, 1996
FTC News Release. FTC Settles Charges of False Health Claims for “Jogging in a Jug” Beverage. Company to Pay $480,000, Send Notice to Consumers. 13 April 1995.
In the Matter of Third Option Laboratories, William J. McWilliams, Susan McWilliams Bolton, and Danny Bishop McWilliams. FTC Docket No. C-3628, FTC File No. 942-3027.