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Alonso v. Bauducco Foods Inc., No. 502017ca012068 (Fl. Circuit Ct. – Palm Beach Cnty.): Putative class action for violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, negligent misrepresentation, breach of express warranty and unjust enrichment. Plaintiff alleges Defendant advertised its cracker products as being “all natural” despite the fact that the products contain “artificial, synthetic and/or genetically modified ingredients.”…
Continue Reading New Filings – November 15, 2017

Court Denies Motion to Dismiss for Non-Functional Slack-Fill Class Action

White v. Just Born, Inc., No. 2:17-cv-4025 (W.D. Mo.): The Court issued an order denying Defendant’s motion to dismiss this putative non-functional slack-fill class action for violation of Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act, and raising a claim for unjust enrichment. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant misleads consumers about the amount of Hot Tamales candy and Mike and Ike candy inside their opaque, cardboard packaging. Defendant moved to dismiss arguing that: (1) a reasonable consumer would not be deceived by the packaging; (2) slack-fill is not by itself impermissible under federal or state law, violation of food-labeling regulations does not support a finding of liability under the MMPA, and Plaintiff does not sufficiently allege that the slack-fill is non-functional or deceptive; (3) Plaintiff lacks standing to pursue injunctive relief; and (4) Plaintiff fails to state an ascertainable injury under the MMPA. In denying the motion, the Court held that the question of whether a consumer would determine from the labeling information that the boxes contain excess slack-filled space is a question of fact that Plaintiff had sufficiently plead its claims. It further held that Defendant plead a threat of ongoing or future harm, sufficient to establish standing.
Continue Reading Rulings, Orders, Settlements – August 4, 2017

Consumer Advocacy Grp., Inc. v. Chulada, Inc., et al., No. BC651577: (Cal. Super. Ct. – Los Angeles Cnty.): Proposition 65 action alleging defendants fail to warn consumers that their ground shrimp contains cadmium and cadmium compounds, and lead and lead compounds.

Envtl. Research Ctr., Inc. v. Blackstone Labs, LLC, No. RG17-850885: (Cal. Super. Ct. – Alameda Cnty.): Proposition 65 action alleging Defendant fails to warn consumers that its dietary supplements contain lead and cadmium.

Consumer Advocacy Grp., Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., et al., No. BC651902: (Cal. Super. Ct. – Los Angeles Cnty.): Proposition 65 action alleging Defendants fail to warn consumers that their jarred anchovies contain lead.
Continue Reading New Filings – April 3, 2017

Iglesias v. Ferrara Candy Co., et al., No. 3:17-cv-0849 (N.D. Cal.): Putative non-functional slack-fill class action for violation of California’s CLRA, FAL, and UCL. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant misleads consumers about the amount of “Jujyfruits” brand candy inside their opaque, cardboard packaging.

Anestis v. Harvest Beverage Group, LLC, et al., No. 17-52286 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. – Westchester Cnty.): Putative class action for deceptive practices, false advertising, and fraud. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant markets and sells its “Juisi” brand juice products as “raw and cold-pressed,” when the products have been processed and heated through a high-pressure treatment.

Tsuchiyama v. Taste of Nature, Inc., No. BC651252 (Cal. Super. Ct. – Los Angeles Cnty.): Putative non-functional slack-fill class action for violation of California’s CLRA, alleging that Defendant misled consumers about the amount of candy inside its packaging.
Continue Reading New Filings – March 31, 2017

Food companies are increasingly being challenged to police their worldwide supply chains to eliminate human rights violations.  It is no longer sufficient to focus solely on one’s own company as businesses are held responsible for the acts of others—often unknown and hidden in today’s complex supply chains.  Food companies have heightened exposure because human trafficking…

McCartney v. Whole Foods Market California Inc., et al., No. CGC-16-555096 (Cal. Super. Ct. – San Francisco Cnty.): Proposition 65 action alleging Defendant failed to warn consumers its Himalayan Bulk Goji Berries contain lead.

Scholder v. Ebro North America, et al., No. 2:16-cv-6002 (E.D.N.Y.): Putative class action alleging Defendant advertises and promotes its…

Environmental Research Center Inc. v. BPI Sports LLC, No. RG-16-830792 (Cal. Super. Ct. – Alameda Cnty.): Proposition 65 action alleging Defendant failed to warn consumers its food products contain lead.

Benson v. Wheat Montana Farms, Inc., No. RIC-1611718 (Cal. Super. Ct. – Riverside Cnty.): False advertising class action. Plaintiff alleges that Defendant advertises…