Companies Face Lawsuits Over Allegedly Mislabeled Ingredients in Foods and Drinks

Starbucks sued over fruit drinks that allegedly lack promised ingredients like mango and passionfruit, despite fruity names. A judge allowed the class action suit to proceed.
Vanilla flavoring has sparked over 200 lawsuits against companies claiming "vanilla" products lack real vanilla. A root beer lawsuit started the trend.
Subway tuna sandwiches were accused of not containing tuna in a 2021 lawsuit. Subway denied the claims. The suit was dismissed.
Ginger ale brands like Canada Dry settled suits over products labeled "made with real ginger" but allegedly lacking it.
A woman sued TGI Friday's over mozzarella sticks containing cheddar instead of mozzarella. The company settled for $900,000.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/1/2023

Taco Bell accused of skimping on beef for Crunchwraps and Mexican Pizzas in class action lawsuit

Main Topic: Lawsuit accuses Taco Bell of falsely advertising the amount of beef in its menu items. Key Points: 1. Lawsuit filed in federal court alleges Taco Bell overstates the amount of beef and ingredients in its ads compared to what is actually offered to customers. 2. Plaintiff claims to have received a Mexican Pizza with only half of the expected beef and bean filling. 3. Lawsuit demands a jury trial, damages, and a request for Taco Bell to correct its deceptive practice or stop selling the menu items listed in the suit.

8/31/2023

Food ads are in the crosshairs as Burger King, others face lawsuits for false advertising

A growing number of lawsuits are being filed against food and beverage companies for deceptive advertising practices, with Burger King being the latest target for overstating the amount of meat in its Whopper burger; companies often settle these cases to avoid going to court, and rising consumer awareness and concerns about health and nutrition are contributing factors to the trend.

9/19/2023

Starbucks Sued for Allegedly Misleading Customers on Refreshers Drink Ingredients

Starbucks faces a lawsuit in New York City after a judge ruled that the civil case, brought by a woman who claimed that the Strawberry Acai beverage lacked key ingredients, could proceed.

9/20/2023

Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Starbucks Over Misleading Refresher Drink Names to Proceed

A U.S. district court judge ruled in favor of a consumer lawsuit against Starbucks, allowing nine causes of action to proceed, while dismissing two, over the naming and marketing of its Refresher drinks.

9/20/2023

Consumers Sue Food Companies Over Ingredient Claims in Starbucks Refreshers, Other Products

A federal judge in Manhattan ruled that a lawsuit against Starbucks over misrepresentation in its fruit-based drinks can move forward, highlighting a trend of consumers taking legal action against food and beverage companies for misleading advertising.

9/21/2023

Queens Woman Sues Starbucks for $5M Over Deceptive Fruit Drink Labeling

A Queens woman's lawsuit against Starbucks for "false and deceptive practices" can proceed after a judge rejected the company's attempt to have the case dismissed, with the plaintiffs seeking damages in excess of $5 million for various Starbucks refresher drinks that allegedly contain no fruit as indicated in their names.

10/5/2023

Lawsuit Against Texas Pete Hot Sauce Dismissed After Company Says Brand Name Doesn't Mislead Consumers

A lawsuit over Texas Pete hot sauce, which claimed false advertising, has been dismissed after the court found the claims to be untrue.

10/18/2023

Starbucks Sues Union Over Logo Use Amid Heated Unionization Effort

Starbucks and the union organizing its workers are engaged in a legal battle over a pro-Palestinian social media post during the Israel-Hamas war, with Starbucks suing for trademark infringement and demanding that the union stop using its name and logo, while Workers United filed a lawsuit asking the court to allow them to continue using Starbucks' name and logo.

Topics

Posted 9/19/2023, 1:09:00 PM

Companies Face Lawsuits Over Allegedly Mislabeled Ingredients in Foods and Drinks

Starbucks sued over fruit drinks that allegedly lack promised ingredients like mango and passionfruit, despite fruity names. A judge allowed the class action suit to proceed.
Vanilla flavoring has sparked over 200 lawsuits against companies claiming "vanilla" products lack real vanilla. A root beer lawsuit started the trend.
Subway tuna sandwiches were accused of not containing tuna in a 2021 lawsuit. Subway denied the claims. The suit was dismissed.
Ginger ale brands like Canada Dry settled suits over products labeled "made with real ginger" but allegedly lacking it.
A woman sued TGI Friday's over mozzarella sticks containing cheddar instead of mozzarella. The company settled for $900,000.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/1/2023

Taco Bell accused of skimping on beef for Crunchwraps and Mexican Pizzas in class action lawsuit

8/31/2023

Food ads are in the crosshairs as Burger King, others face lawsuits for false advertising

9/19/2023

Starbucks Sued for Allegedly Misleading Customers on Refreshers Drink Ingredients

Starbucks faces a lawsuit in New York City after a judge ruled that the civil case, brought by a woman who claimed that the Strawberry Acai beverage lacked key ingredients, could proceed.

9/20/2023

Judge Allows Lawsuit Against Starbucks Over Misleading Refresher Drink Names to Proceed

9/20/2023

Consumers Sue Food Companies Over Ingredient Claims in Starbucks Refreshers, Other Products

9/21/2023

Queens Woman Sues Starbucks for $5M Over Deceptive Fruit Drink Labeling

10/5/2023

Lawsuit Against Texas Pete Hot Sauce Dismissed After Company Says Brand Name Doesn't Mislead Consumers

A lawsuit over Texas Pete hot sauce, which claimed false advertising, has been dismissed after the court found the claims to be untrue.

10/18/2023

Starbucks Sues Union Over Logo Use Amid Heated Unionization Effort