Tag: grocery
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Trader Joe’s Settles “All Natural” Labeling Class Action
A California federal court has approved a settlement in a class action alleging that Trader Joe’s labels items with synthetic ingredients as “All Natural.” Larsen v. Trader Joe’s Co., No. 11-5188 (N.D. Cal., order entered July 11, 2014). Trader Joe’s will pay $3.375 million to a settlement fund to compensate class members with a proof of…
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Whole Foods Agrees to Penalties for Overcharging Customers
Following a year-long investigation of Whole Foods Markets in California, state and county weights and measures inspectors found that it was charging more than advertised for a wide variety of food items; the company has reportedly agreed to pay nearly $800,000 in penalties and to conduct its business for the next five years under strict…
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All Natural” Claims Trimmed in Whole Foods Litigation
A federal court in California has granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss in a putative class action alleging that Whole Foods Market Group misleads consumers by labeling certain food products containing sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) as “All Natural.” Garrison v. Whole Foods Mkt. Group, Inc., No. 13-5222 (N.D. Cal., order entered…
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Trader Joe’s Allegedly Mislabels Sunflower Seeds
A California resident has filed a putative nationwide class action against Trader Joe’s alleging that the company fails to disclose “the dangerously high” sodium content contained in its sunflower kernels and sunflower shells and then markets the products as a “good” or healthy snack. DiSimone v. Trader Joe’s Co., No. BC544924 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los…
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Cereal Box Characters Allegedly See Eye-to-Eye with Consumers
Researchers with Cornell University and the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity have reportedly found that eye contact with cereal box spokes-characters “increased feelings of trust and connection to the brand, as well as choice of the brand over competitors.” Aviva Musicus, et al., “Eyes in the Aisles: Why is Cap’n Crunch Looking…
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Suit Against Safeway for Failure to Warn of Food Recalls May Proceed
A federal court in California has determined that a consumer case alleging that Safeway was negligent for failing to notify customers of food recalls may proceed. Hensley-MacLean v. Safeway, Inc., No. 11-01230 (N.D. Cal., order entered April 7, 2014). According to the court, Safeway failed to justify a post-sale exception to California’s negligence law, which…
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Food Labeling Claims Against Costco Narrowed
A federal court in California has dismissed the claims of one named plaintiff in a putative class action alleging that certain Costco Kirkland branded products are misbranded and deceptive, and narrowed the claims of the other named plaintiff. Thomas v. Costco Wholesale Corp., No. 1202908 (N.D. Cal., order entered March 31, 2014). The plaintiff whose…
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Court Trims Causes of Action in Labeling Suit Against Whole Foods
A federal court in California has granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed in a putative class action against Whole Foods Market. Pratt v. Whole Foods Mkt. Cal., Inc., No. 12-5652 (N.D. Cal., order entered March 31, 2014). The claims relate to a number of 365 Everyday Value® products that the…