Federal Court Consolidates Frito-Lay “All Natural” Lawsuits

A federal court in New York has reportedly consolidated three putative class actions against Frito-Lay North America Inc. involving claims that the company falsely advertised its chips as “all natural” despite using genetically modified corn and oil in the products. In re: Frito-Lay N. Am. Inc. “All-Natural” Litig., No. 12-00408 (E.D.N.Y., order entered March 20, 2012). Two of the suits were filed in December 2011 in California, and the plaintiffs agreed to transfer the claims to New York where a similar action had been filed in January 2012. The parties reportedly stipulated to the consolidation “to streamline the litigation and conserve judicial resources.” See Law 360, March 21, 2012.