Earlier this month, I reported on a class action lawsuit filed by three Californian residents against Johnson & Johnson — the makers of the artificial sweeteners Splenda and Splenda Essentials.
The plaintiffs in that case argue, that the range of sweeteners were advertised in a manner that was misleading to consumers. Although the case is yet to be resolved, a recent New York Times article indicates matters like this are just one of many that are about to hit the courts.
The piece titled, “Lawyers From Suits Against Big Tobacco Target Food Makers,” details how many of the former lawyers and firms that obtained settlements over the last two decades suing Tobacco companies, are now focusing their attention on food manufacturers.
As they found, in just the last four months, “More than a dozen lawyers who took on the tobacco companies have filed 25 cases against industry players like ConAgra Foods, PepsiCo, Heinz, General Mills and Choban,” for misleading consumers with false advertising, thereby breaching federal food regulations.
Products such as Pam Baking spray, Swiss Miss cocoa, Hunt’s canned tomatoes, Nutella, Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries, Dannon, Pom Wonderful, Chobani Greek Yogurt are just some of the products that have all been caught up in recent litigation.
We all know role advertising plays in getting many of us to purchase products. So it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Follow Us