Food & Beverage Litigation & Regulatory Update

Tag: snack

  • Quinoa Crisps Not “GMO Free” Because of Corn and Soy Content, Lawsuit Claims

    A consumer has filed a purported class action against Natural & Tasty LLC alleging that the company misleads consumers by labeling its Goldbaum Quinoa Crisps® as “All Natural” and free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) despite containing ingredients made from corn and soy because “almost all corn and soy grown in the United States are…

  • EWG Launches Campaign Against Foods Containing Propylparaben

    An Environmental Working Group (EWG) investigation has reportedly concluded that 49 processed snack foods contain propylparaben, a preservative commonly found in cosmetic products. In light of its findings and various studies allegedly linking exposure to the chemical to decreased fertility and other hormone-related issues, EWG is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reconsider…

  • Florida Federal Courts Allow “Natural” Pretzel Challenges to Continue

    A Florida federal court has granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss a putative class action alleging that Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. misleadingly labels its pretzels and chips as “natural” despite containing “unnatural genetically-modified organisms (‘GMOs’) and, in many cases, other unnatural artificial and synthetic ingredients.” Barron v. Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., No. 13-62496 (S.D. Fla.,…

  • Plaintiff’s Failure to Define “Natural” Dooms Kettle Chip Labeling Suit

    A Missouri federal court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the “all natural” labels of Cape Cod Chips because the plaintiff failed to provide a suitable definition of “natural.” Kelly v. Cape Cod Potato Chip Co., No. 14-119 (W.D. Mo., order entered January 27, 2015). The plaintiff alleged that 16 varieties of Cape Cod Chips were…

  • Chia Crisps Contain Insufficient Amount of Chia Seeds, Purported Class Action Alleges

    A consumer has filed a putative class action in Florida federal court alleging that LesserEvil LLC falsely advertises its Chia Crisps as containing “a significant amount of chia seeds, when, in actuality, the Product is primarily composed of black beans, a less expensive ingredient.” Crane v. LesserEvil LLC, No. 14-62854 (S.D. Fla., filed December 16,…

  • Navajo Nation Council Approves “Junk” Food Tax

    In a 10-4 vote, the Navajo Nation Council has approved a tax on “junk” foods sold on the largest reservation in the United States. If President Ben Shelly signs the measure into law, the Healthy Dine Nation Act of 2014 would apply to items like cookies, chips and soft drinks, and the revenue generated would…

  • “All Natural” Snack Foods Targeted in Florida Class Action

    A Florida resident has filed a putative statewide and nationwide class action against the Snack Factory, LLC, alleging that it deceptively represents that its Pretzel Crisps are “All Natural” despite including “unnatural, synthetic, and/or artificial ingredients, including but not limited to maltodextrin and soybean oil.” Seidman v. Snack Factory, LLC, No. 14-62547 (S.D. Fla., filed November…

  • Diamond Foods Agrees to $2.75 Million Settlement in “All Natural” Class Actions

    Diamond Foods, Inc. has agreed to settle the consumer fraud class action suits filed by plaintiffs in California and Florida alleging that the company falsely labels its Kettle Brand® chip products as “All Natural,” when they contain artificial, synthetic or genetically modified ingredients, or as “Reduced Fat” while referencing non-comparable foods. Klacko v. Diamond Foods,…