Companies Remove All Natural Food Labels from Products

A growing number of manufacturers who have included “all natural” on their food or drink labels are removing this wording following a large number of all natural lawsuits. These filed complaints accuse the manufacturers of including product ingredients that are not actually “all natural” in order to deceive consumers.  

The FDA defines all natural foods to mean foods that do not contain anything artificial or synthetic, essentially excluding man-made. Natural foods are becoming increasingly popular as people attempt to be healthier or to eat less artificial ingredients. There is also a rising trend of individuals and families making the transition to buying and consuming only organic and all natural foods.

Many popular companies, such as Ben & Jerry’s, Kellogg Co., and others, are facing all natural lawsuits, with plaintiffs alleging the foods are mislabeled and actually contain unnatural ingredients. These are companies that have also previously taken a strong stance on the all natural labeling on their food.

Now, many brands are removing the all natural label for fear of legal reprecussion. Lawyer Lori Leskin states this is because, “[the all natural food label] isn’t worth it right now.” While many people might have chosen one product over another because of the “all natural” label, the risk of an all natural food label lawsuit may outweigh the profits gained by the label. 

Natural Food Label Lawsuits

Many large corporations have paid large amounts to settle all natural lawsuits or all natural class action lawsuits. For example, PepsiCo paid $9 million to resolve allegations that Naked Juice (PepsiCo acquired Naked Juice in 2009) actually contained genetically modified ingredients and other unnatural ingredients. Additionally, Barbara’s Bakery Inc. paid a $4 million natural label settlement, and Ben & Jerry’s was set to pay $5 million before a judge rejected the settlement offer.

These and other food and drink manufacturers claim that the definition of “all natural” is too vague and could bring all natural lawsuits to their front doors. Instead, companies such as Barbara’s Bakery have revised their wording, stating that their food is “simple” or “nutritious.” Ben and Jerry’s changed their label to read “Vermont’s finest.”

Foods that contain the all natural food label are often more expensive than those that are openly marketed as processed foods. All natural lawsuits may help to win plaintiffs compensation for their financial losses as well as for the deception allegedly practiced by many corporations across the country.

Many individuals who purchased all natural food believing it to be a healthy option may have wasted their money and efforts by buying from a brand that does not truly warrant a natural food label. More and more companies are removing the natural food label as more natural food lawsuits are filed in state and federal courts.