Aussie lawyers seek Kiwis ‘addicted to cola’

AUSTRALIAN lawyers are calling for Kiwis suffering from poor health related to cola addiction to come forward to assist with legal action.

A newspaper notice yesterday was seeking ‘‘people whose families have suffered in terms of Type 2 diabetes, heart condition and/or premature death from becoming addicted to cola, from an early age’’.

Just Water International director Tony Falkenstein placed the notice and was tasked with collecting information from health sufferers on behalf of a legal firm set to file papers in court.

The notice said any proceeds from the court action would be divided among those affected.

Mr Falkenstein said the lawyers contacted him early this month.

‘‘I’ve written articles around no-sugar before and I guess you would say I have a personal crusade. That’s probably why they’ve contacted me.’’

Controversy over the health risks associated with drinking too much Coke were raised last year when a coroner ruled an Invercargill mother who drank 10 litres a day died as a result.

Natasha Harris, 30, died on February 25, 2010, from a cardiac arrest.

Mr Falkenstein said the Australian legal firm were refusing to speak with media until papers were filed in court, which could be anywhere between six to twelve months.