Ārepa, which has marketed itself as a brain drink since its inception, with several claims of its scientifically proven effectiveness, has been told to remove these claims. New Zealand Food Safety Deputy Director Vincent Arbuckle stated that the brand had made health claims in breach of the New Zealand Food Standard.
Ārepa beverages made promises that they improved neurological function. Ingredients include L-theanine, blackcurrants, pine bark extract and more. The health claims attributed to pine bark extract (enzogenol) and L-theanine are not substantiated, nor are health claims that can be attributed to the vitamin C content that do not identify that vitamin C is responsible for the health benefit.
Ārepa is working towards adhering to these MPI labelling requirements.
