Tag Archives: false advertising

An “All-Natural” Lawsuit

Spaces Available

When consumers peruse the aisles of their favorite grocery stores, they will see a variety of labels plastered onto food products – anything from 100% Organic to Non-GMO to Non-RBST. Despite the somewhat ambiguous meaning behind these labels, this wording can assist consumers with understanding the quality of their potential purchases. However, these labels also affect consumer buying patterns, and this is an influence known by food companies and advertisers alike. The latest of lawsuits regarding food labels and misleading advertisements comes from Debbie Banafsheha, a California woman who is claiming that Heinz “All-Natural” Distilled White Vinegar “can’t be considered natural at all, because it’s made with GMO corn” (Renter, Natural Society, 2014).

Business dealings

It has been a less than memorable couple of years for the Trump Organization. After an unsuccessful presidential run, Donald Trump has recently been announced as a defendant in an upcoming civil suit seeking 40 million dollars in restitutive damages. The civil suit, which has been brought upon by the New York State Attorney General, contends that Donald Trump and the Trump organization misinformed the public and engaged in illegal and deceptive business practices. This school that was unaccredited ran in various locations across the United States.

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Class Action Lawsuit Against Naked Juice

Not only “All Natural” Ingredients

Naked Juice Consumers could be entitled to as much as 75 dollars if they purchased the product between September 27, 2007 and August 19, 2013. A recent class action lawsuit against the brand stated “alleged misuse of health phrases”. Phrases such as 100% Juice, 100% Fruit, All Natural Fruit, Non-GMO, etc. have caught the brand in the middle of this large lawsuit. While such phrases are printed on their easily recognizable bottles, the lawsuit claims that many of these products do in fact contain ingredients that are not “All Natural”, and some of the products are also made with genetically altered soy. This alleged false advertising has led parent company PepsiCo to settle for $9 million dollars, spread out across their many consumers. Read More

Lawsuit Filed Against America’s Soup Brand

Soup

With an emphasis on healthy living lately, it’s hard to miss the heart healthy checks on Campbell’s Soup cans when you walk down the aisle at the grocery store. A federal lawsuit was filed against Campbell Soup Co. and the American Heart Association stating the soups are not as heart healthy as the certification might suggest. The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular diseases and stroke through a heart healthy lifestyle and diet. According to the AHA website, a low sodium product is defined as having 140 milligrams of sodium or less per serving, however, to earn the publicly recognized stamp of approval from the AHA, the product should have no more than 480 milligrams of sodium per serving. This contradiction in standards is what has caught the AHA and Campbell Soup Co. in a lawsuit. Read More

Dr. Drew Accepted GlaxoSmithKline’s Illegal Marketing Money

Tough pill to swallow

Sometimes legal settlements reveal more than just boring dollar amounts. Last week, GlaxoSmithKline agreed to plead guilty to the illegal marketing of the prescription antidepressant Wellbutrin and pay $3 billion in criminal and civil fines. This settlement followed a 9-year investigation into the company’s marketing practices by the federal government. In the process, documents associated with the case revealed that TV physician Dr. Drew was among the “consultants” paid to do this illegal advertising. So what did Glaxo do, and why was it so bad? And why would a trusted name in science forsake his neutral and beneficial advice in the name of a pharmaceutical company’s profits (hint: it has to do with money)? Find out after the break.