The following is a summary of relevant, notable Class Action Lawsuits that were filed during October 2024. Below is a summary of the plaintiff’s allegations. To request a copy of a particular complaint or for queries or further discussion, you’re welcome to reach out via email at [email protected].
1. Bellomo v. Topco
Plaintiff Andrew Bellomo filed a class action lawsuit against Topco Associates LLC, alleging false advertising and misleading labeling of its food products containing chemical preservatives. The lawsuit claims that Topco’s products were marketed as “natural” but contained synthetic additives like potassium nitrate, sulfites, and benzoates, which are linked to health risks.
The lawsuit cites violations of consumer protection laws, FDA misbranding regulations, and deceptive trade practices. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to ensure greater transparency in food ingredient disclosures.
2. Cedano v. Aldi
Plaintiff Erik Cedano filed a class action lawsuit against Aldi Inc., alleging false advertising of its macaroni & cheese products. The lawsuit claims that Aldi misleads consumers by labeling its product as “Made with Real Cheese”, despite containing cheese substitutes and artificial flavor enhancers.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, injunctive relief, and truthful ingredient disclosures to prevent consumer deception in processed food marketing. This case highlights misleading dairy product claims, false advertising in food labeling, and violations of consumer trust.
3. Concepcion v. Target
Plaintiff Josafat Concepcion filed a class action lawsuit against Target Corporation, alleging false advertising related to its cheddar cheese crackers. The lawsuit contends that Target falsely claims its crackers are “Made with Real Organic Cheddar Cheese”, despite containing synthetic flavors and processed cheese powder.
The lawsuit demands monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent misleading natural ingredient claims in grocery store branding. This case underscores false food marketing, deceptive ingredient disclosures, and consumer rights protection.
4. Daly v. Natrol
Plaintiff John Daly filed a class action lawsuit against Natrol LLC, alleging false advertising of its melatonin supplements. The lawsuit claims that Natrol misrepresents its “No Artificial Preservatives” labeling, despite containing sodium citrate and citric acid, which are synthetically produced.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, corrective labeling, and stricter FDA oversight to ensure supplement companies disclose all synthetic additives. This case highlights misleading supplement marketing, deceptive natural claims, and violations of consumer protection laws.
5. Daniels v. Ahold Delhaize USA
Plaintiff Shavonne Daniels filed a class action lawsuit against Ahold Delhaize USA, Inc. and Food Lion LLC, alleging that its Omazing Orange Soda contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a banned toxic ingredient linked to neurological damage and thyroid disorders.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, corrective advertising, and full product recalls to prevent consumer exposure to banned substances. This case highlights food safety violations, toxic ingredient disclosures, and FDA non-compliance in soft drink manufacturing.
6. Denny v. Walmart
Plaintiff Shana Denny filed a class action lawsuit against Walmart Inc., alleging false advertising of its Great Value Avocado Oil. The lawsuit claims that Walmart misrepresents the product as pure avocado oil, when testing shows it is adulterated with cheaper vegetable oils.
The lawsuit demands monetary damages, corrective labeling, and truthful ingredient disclosures to ensure accuracy in avocado oil purity claims. This case emphasizes food fraud, misleading product labeling, and consumer rights protection.
7. Escobar v. Hershey
Plaintiff Rebecca Escobar filed a class action lawsuit against The Hershey Company, alleging misleading nutrient content claims on its Lily’s brand chocolates. The lawsuit claims that Hershey advertises “less sugar” and “no sugar added”, but fails to disclose high saturated fat content, which increases the risk of heart disease.
The lawsuit demands monetary compensation, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent deceptive health claims in chocolate branding. This case underscores nutritional labeling fraud, false health benefit claims, and FDA compliance violations.
8. Gelin v. Chubby Snacks
Plaintiff Ifonia Gelin filed a class action lawsuit against Chubby Snacks Inc., alleging false advertising regarding its low-sugar snack sandwiches. The lawsuit claims that Chubby Snacks mislabels its products as containing less sugar than they actually do, deceiving health-conscious consumers.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, corrective advertising, and injunctive relief to ensure accurate sugar content labeling. This case highlights false nutritional claims, misleading health-conscious marketing, and deceptive food advertising.
9. Harper v. Boar’s Head
Plaintiff Robby Harper filed a class action lawsuit against Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., alleging Listeria contamination in its deli meats and cold cuts. The lawsuit claims that Boar’s Head failed to warn consumers about the foodborne illness risk, leading to severe health complications.
The lawsuit demands medical compensation, recalls of contaminated products, and corrective safety measures in deli meat handling. This case highlights foodborne illness outbreaks, failure to warn consumers, and corporate accountability in food safety.
10. Jefferson v. Kraft
Plaintiff Mikal Jefferson filed a class action lawsuit against Kraft Heinz Foods Company LLC, alleging false advertising of Capri-Sun beverage products. The lawsuit claims that Kraft misrepresents its drinks as containing “All Natural Ingredients”, while they actually contain manufactured citric acid, a synthetic additive.
The lawsuit argues that Kraft’s misleading labeling deceives consumers who seek natural beverages, violating California’s consumer protection laws. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent deceptive marketing in the beverage industry.
11. LS v. Happy Hippo
Plaintiff L.S. filed a class action lawsuit against Happy Hippo, LLC, alleging false advertising and deceptive marketing of its kratom-based herbal products. The lawsuit contends that kratom is marketed as a “natural supplement”, but its active ingredients function like opioids, carrying high risks of addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
The complaint argues that Happy Hippo fails to disclose these dangers, misleading consumers into believing kratom is a safe, plant-based alternative. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, corrective advertising, and enhanced labeling requirements for kratom product transparency.
12. Lucky v. Mariani Packing
Plaintiff Sharon Lucky filed a class action lawsuit against Mariani Packing Co., alleging false advertising related to misleading packaging practices. The lawsuit claims that Mariani uses oversized packaging with “false bottoms”, making consumers believe they are receiving more product than they actually are.
The case highlights concerns over food fraud, misleading product sizing, and deceptive marketing tactics in packaged goods. Plaintiffs seek monetary compensation, corrective packaging, and regulatory enforcement to ensure transparency in product volume disclosures.
13. Madatovian v. Bayer
Plaintiff Angela Madatovian filed a class action lawsuit against Bayer Healthcare LLC, alleging false advertising of its Flintstones Gummies Sour vitamins. The lawsuit claims that Bayer markets the vitamins as “free of artificial flavors”, despite containing dl-malic acid, a synthetic flavor additive.
The lawsuit demands monetary damages, corrective labeling, and stricter ingredient disclosure requirements. This case underscores misleading supplement marketing, false natural claims, and violations of California’s consumer protection laws.
14. Milan v. SFM (Sprouts Farmers Market)
Plaintiff Ralph Milan filed a class action lawsuit against Sprouts Farmers Market, alleging false advertising of its Avocado Oil products. The lawsuit claims that Sprouts misrepresents its oil as “100% Avocado Oil”, when testing revealed that it contains cheaper vegetable oil adulterants.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to ensure accuracy in avocado oil purity claims. This case highlights food fraud, misleading product labeling, and consumer rights protection in the health-conscious food market.
15. Mohamed v. Hershey
Plaintiff Abraham Mohamed filed a class action lawsuit against The Hershey Company, alleging false advertising of Bubble Yum Original Flavor Bubble Gum. The lawsuit claims that Hershey markets the gum as “high quality” and “sustainable”, but tests revealed high levels of organic fluorine, a chemical associated with potential health risks.
The lawsuit argues that Hershey failed to disclose these risks, misleading consumers about the safety and transparency of its ingredients. Plaintiffs seek monetary compensation, corrective advertising, and stricter chemical disclosures in food packaging.
16. Most v. Nestlé
Plaintiff Ryan Most filed a class action lawsuit against Nestlé Purina PetCare, alleging false advertising of its Friskies Party Mix Natural Yums cat treats. The lawsuit claims that Nestlé labels the treats as “No Artificial Preservatives”, but testing found synthetic phosphoric acid and citric acid.
The lawsuit demands monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent deceptive pet food marketing. This case highlights false ingredient claims, pet food safety concerns, and misleading natural product branding.
17. Nasar v. Target
Plaintiff Hamzah Nasar filed a class action lawsuit against Target Corporation, alleging false advertising and misleading ingredient claims. The lawsuit contends that Target’s processed foods contain undisclosed chemical preservatives, violating consumer trust and food labeling regulations.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent consumer deception in the grocery industry. This case underscores hidden food additives, misleading health claims, and the need for regulatory transparency in processed food labeling.
18. Rutledge v. Nature’s Path
Plaintiff Matthew Rutledge filed a class action lawsuit against Nature’s Path Foods, Inc., alleging false advertising of its Panda Puffs cereals. The lawsuit claims that Nature’s Path markets the cereal as “No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives”, while it contains tocopherols, a synthetic preservative.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, corrective labeling, and stricter ingredient transparency regulations. This case highlights misleading organic claims, consumer deception in cereal branding, and false health-conscious marketing.
19. Smart v. Schwan’s
Plaintiff Monique Smart filed a class action lawsuit against Schwan’s Consumer Brands, alleging false advertising of its Edwards brand frozen desserts. The lawsuit claims that Schwan’s misrepresents its key lime pie as containing “No Preservatives”, when in reality, it includes synthetic additives and preservatives. The complaint argues that the company misleads consumers by capitalizing on the demand for natural and clean-label foods.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent deceptive marketing in the frozen dessert industry. This case highlights false natural claims, ingredient misrepresentation, and the growing consumer demand for clean-label food products.
20. Smith v. Safeway
Plaintiff Kevin Smith filed a class action lawsuit against Safeway Inc., alleging false advertising of its Signature Select Avocado Oil. The lawsuit claims that Safeway labels its product as “100% Avocado Oil”, while independent testing revealed that the oil is adulterated with cheaper seed oils.
The complaint asserts that Safeway misleads consumers into paying a premium price for a product that does not meet its purity claims. The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent fraudulent food labeling.
21. Smith v. Trader Joe’s
Plaintiffs Kevin Smith and Clair Awad filed a class action lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, alleging false advertising of its avocado oil products. The complaint states that Trader Joe’s markets its oil as “Avocado Oil”, but laboratory analysis found adulteration with other, lower-cost oils.
The lawsuit highlights food fraud concerns, misleading product labeling, and consumer deception in health-focused products. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, injunctive relief, and corrective advertising.
22. Smith v. Triple Leaf
Plaintiffs Kevin Smith and Sheri Tarvin filed a class action lawsuit against Triple Leaf Tea, Inc., alleging false advertising of its herbal teas. The complaint states that Triple Leaf misrepresents its teas as promoting “healthy liver function”, while some of the ingredients can actually cause liver damage.
The lawsuit claims that Triple Leaf deceives consumers by marketing its products as traditional herbal remedies when they contain potentially harmful substances. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent misleading health claims.
23. Theus v. Natural Organics
Plaintiff Chaka Theus filed a class action lawsuit against Natural Organics, Inc., alleging false advertising of its NaturesPlus dietary supplements. The lawsuit claims that the company misrepresents dosage amounts on the front label of its products, misleading consumers into believing they receive more nutrients than they actually do.
The complaint argues that Natural Organics overcharges consumers for supplements that contain lower active ingredient levels than advertised. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent deceptive supplement marketing.
24. Valdovinos v. Target
Plaintiff Brittany Valdovinos filed a class action lawsuit against Target Corporation, alleging false advertising of its Good & Gather Avocado Oil. The lawsuit states that Target labels its oil as “100% Pure Avocado Oil”, but independent testing revealed it is adulterated with lower-cost vegetable oils.
The lawsuit seeks monetary compensation, corrective advertising, and injunctive relief to prevent consumer deception in cooking oil products.
25. Vu v. PataFoods (Amara Organic Foods)
Plaintiff Jessica Vu filed a class action lawsuit against PataFoods, Inc. (Amara Organic Foods), alleging that its Amara Organic Smoothie Melts contain lead, cadmium, and arsenic, making them unsafe for children. The lawsuit claims that Amara markets its products as healthy while failing to disclose the presence of toxic heavy metals.
The case underscores food safety concerns, misleading organic product claims, and consumer rights in child nutrition. Plaintiffs seek damages, corrective labeling, and stricter food safety regulations.
26. Zajac v. Stop & Shop
Plaintiffs Cara Zajac and Lachae Vickers filed a class action lawsuit against Stop & Shop, alleging false advertising of its Stop & Shop brand Avocado Oil. The lawsuit contends that Stop & Shop mislabels its oil as “100% Avocado Oil”, when testing revealed adulteration with other oils.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, corrective labeling, and injunctive relief to prevent food fraud and deceptive marketing practices.
