Pom Wonderful Company

Pomegranate juice maker Pom Wonderful, which became a target of animal rights activists because of research the company did into its juice's medical benefits, said Wednesday that it had stopped testing on animals. "Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice has ceased all animal testing, and we have no plans to do so in the future," Lynda and Stewart Resnick wrote to all Pom retailers by e-mail or post Wednesday. The Resnicks own Los Angeles-based Roll International Corp.

Pomegranate juice maker Pom Wonderful, which became a target of animal rights activists because of research the company did into its juice's medical benefits, said Wednesday that it had stopped testing on animals. "Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice has ceased all animal testing, and we have no plans to do so in the future," Lynda and Stewart Resnick wrote to all Pom retailers by e-mail or post Wednesday. The Resnicks own Los Angeles-based Roll International Corp.

Of the many possible targets of animal rights activists in Southern California, the world's largest distributor of pomegranate juice, POM Wonderful, might seem low on the list. But according to a lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the company's employees have been besieged by animal rights protesters who are angry about testing the company has done to prove its assertions that the bright red juice is an elixir of health.

Of the many possible targets of animal rights activists in Southern California, the world's largest distributor of pomegranate juice, POM Wonderful, might seem low on the list. But according to a lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the company's employees have been besieged by animal rights protesters who are angry about testing the company has done to prove its assertions that the bright red juice is an elixir of health.

Legend has it that King Tut was fond of pomegranates, and so were the ancient Persians. They surely enjoyed the fruit in its natural form — not processed into pomegranate extract pills. These days, a number of companies sell pomegranate supplements and say the pills are a more convenient way to benefit from the fruit's potent antioxidants. The most aggressive of these manufacturers is POM Wonderful, the company that also makes pomegranate-based juices, teas and snack bars. Each of its Pomx Pills provides the same "antioxidant power" as 8 ounces of Pom Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice without the 160 calories or 34 grams of sugar, the company says.

Santa Monica police and FBI agents raided the homes of several controversial animal rights activists this week as part of an investigation into the underground Animal Liberation Front. Among the targets were Dr. Jerry Vlasak and his wife, Pamelyn Ferdin, two well-known activists who regularly protest against Los Angeles animal services officials. They were not at their Agoura Hills home when police conducted the search. Vlasak said an officer had to enter through a pet door to get inside.

Two animal rights activists have been charged with threatening and harassing UCLA scientists who use animals in their research, according to a Los Angeles County grand jury indictment unsealed Monday. Linda Faith Greene, 61, and Kevin Richard Olliff, 22, were charged March 27 with 10 felonies, including stalking and conspiracy to threaten a school employee.

Want a taste of the tropics? Forget the plane ticket. Go to the grocery store and take your pick: acai sorbet, mangosteen iced tea, pomegranate granola, noni smoothies, yogurt-covered dried goji berries and more. Fruits from faraway lands have been showing up in a growing number of products lately: bottled water, granola, powders, energy bars. With labels that evoke jungles and beaches, most promise to fight cancer, boost immunity and extend your life span, among other benefits. But will a mangosteen a day keep the doctor away any better than an apple can?