A JUICE bar owner says his business is under threat after council officials accused him of making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of juices and smoothies.

Raw Juice in Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, sets out to sell a variety of nutrition-based drinks using healthy ingredients.

Bar owner Gareth Roberts, who started the business with his partner Leanne, insists they adhere to vegan principles and smoothies and juices such as ‘Skinny Jeans’, ‘The Hangover’, ‘The Energiser’ have proved popular with customers.

But they are under investigation by Wrexham Council Trading Standards officers who are looking into claims that the business is falsely advertising health benefits from the consumption of drinks and shakes.

Video by Scott Murphy

Trading Standards officers have asked Mr Roberts to attend an interview under caution at Wrexham Council offices on December 19 to investigate whether offences have been committed under nutrition and food safety legislation.

The juice bar owners says their customers are outraged by the Trading Standards intervention and a petition on the change.org website contains more than 1,000 names.

A council spokesman said: “It would not be appropriate for us to comment on this matter at this time as it is subject to an ongoing investigation.”

But Leanne Roberts said: “They say we are implying you can cure a hangover or fit into a certain size pair of jeans, but it is all healthy and sound nutritional advice we are offering and calling a drink ‘Skinny Jeans’ isn’t implying that if you drink it you will be able to fit into skinny jeans.”

The bar uses honeydew melon, water melon carrot and gingers to concoct the juice ‘Skinny Jeans’ juice, which is one of the titles that has been flagged up by Trading Standards staff.

Another label said to be under investigation is the smoothie ‘The Antioxidant’, blended from blackberries, blueberries, acai powder and watermelon.

Juices with the names ‘Heartbeet’, ‘The Glow’ and ‘The Coldbuster’ may also have fallen foul of council officials, although a smoothie labelled

Mr Roberts added: “All we are trying to do is promote a healthier lifestyle in Wrexham providing nutritional smoothies and juices.

“There are so many unhealthy fast food places in the town, but we have built up some regular trade and our customers are both young and old.

“All our ingredients have been backed up with research and evidence.

“We have showed the council officers a lot of articles, but they took our menus away and said they are investigating us.

“If we get a fine, then we will probably go out of business.”

According to Mr Roberts, as well as labelling issues, officers have also taken issue with a range of supplements such as MSM, Lionsmane and Ashwagandha which the bar can add to the drinks.