Neutrogena, Liquid I.V., others face class actions over alleged preservatives in products

Preservatives class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, Liv Group, Unilever, Pepperidge Farm, Mott’s and Keurig Dr Pepper. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits claim the companies falsely advertised that their food or cosmetic products were preservative-free despite allegedly containing the preservative citric acid. 
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in California and New York federal courts. 

Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against companies they argue falsely advertised that their food or cosmetics products are free of preservatives. 

The complaints revolve around the use of citric acid — an alleged preservative — in products marketed and sold by Johnson & Johnson, Liv Group, Unilever, Pepperidge Farm, Mott’s and Keurig Dr Pepper. 

Health and environmentally conscious consumers may seek out and be willing to pay more for preservative-free products when making their buying decisions. 

Neutrogena shampoo falsely labeled ‘preservative-free,’ class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson earlier this month, claiming the company falsely advertises one of its Neutrogena shampoo products as being “preservative-free.” 

The consumer argues that, in reality, the product contains citric acid, a known preservative, and that they would either have not purchased the shampoo or paid less for it had they known. 

The class action lawsuit claims Johnson & Johson falsely labeled the Neutrogena shampoo product as a way to “capitalize on consumers’ preference for products with no preservatives.”

“Indeed, the preservative-free cosmetics market has experienced growth, driven by consumer demand for natural and chemical-free beauty products,” the Neutrogena class action states. 

Liquid I.V. contains preservative despite advertising to the contrary, class action says 

Three consumers filed a class action lawsuit against the Liv Group and its parent, Unilever, earlier this month over claims they falsely advertised that their Liquid I.V. beverage contains no preservatives when it allegedly contains the preservative citric acid. 

“Citric acid’s primary use is as a preservative, despite potentially having additional functions,” the Liquid I.V. class action states.

The consumers argue the Liquid I.V. beverages also contain potassium hydroxide, trisodium citrate and ascorbic acid, which they claim can either combine with citric acid or act as chemical preservatives on their own. 

Goldfish Flavor Blasted snacks not preservative-free, class action alleges

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Pepperidge Farm earlier this month, claiming the company falsely advertises that its Goldfish Flavor Blasted Baked Snack Crackers products contain no artificial flavor or preservatives. 

The consumer argues the Goldfish Flavor Blasted Baked Snack Crackers products allegedly contain citric acid, which she claims is a “known artificial preservative commonly used in food products.”  

“Defendant markets its Products in a systematically misleading manner by misrepresenting that the Products do not contain artificial preservatives,” the Pepperidge Farm class action states. 

Mott’s allegedly falsely advertises its bloody mary mix as having ‘no preservatives’

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Mott’s and its parent Keurig Dr Pepper earlier this month over claims they falsely labeled that Mr. & Mrs. T Original Bloody Mary Mix contains no preservatives, despite the product allegedly containing citric acid. 

“Despite unequivocally and boldly claiming that the (Mott’s Bloody Mary mix) contains ‘No Added Preservatives,’ the ingredient deck reveals the inclusion of preservative citric acid, rendering the statement false, misleading, and in violation of the law,” the Mott’s class action states. 

The consumers argue Mott’s and Keurig Dr Pepper prominently label that the blood mary mix contains no preservatives, allegedly to entice consumers who believe preservative-free beverages are healthier than those with preservatives. 

Have you purchased a product that was falsely advertised as being preservative-free? Let us know in the comments.

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