Toyota, Kroger, others hit with false advertising lawsuits in last month

False advertising class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Toyota, Kroger, Beiersdorf, Hershey, Mott’s, Keurig Dr Pepper, QC Kinetix, Med-Den Funding and Security First Bank.
• Why: The class action lawsuits involve false advertising claims, including product sourcing, ingredients, preservatives, unapproved medical treatments and a vehicle maintenance plan.
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in various U.S. federal courts. 

Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against companies claiming they falsely advertised their products and/or services. 

The claims involve product sourcing, ingredients, preservatives, unapproved medical treatments and a vehicle maintenance plan. 

A consumer may file a false advertising class action lawsuit against a company if they feel it deceived them into making a purchase they otherwise would not have made. 

Toyota falsely advertises ToyotaCare Plus maintenance plan, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota earlier this month, claiming the automaker falsely advertises the true value of its ToyotaCare Plus maintenance plan. 

The lawsuit argues Toyota misleads consumers who sign up for the maintenance  plan into believing it will save them money when, in reality, the services they receive would cost them less than the cost of the plan. 

The consumer wants to represent a nationwide class and California subclass of individuals who purchased a Toyota maintenance plan within 90 days of buying a vehicle from the automaker.

Kroger falsely advertises blueberry cereal bars as made with real fruit, class action says

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against The Kroger Co., arguing the company falsely advertises its blueberry cereal bars are made with real fruit.

The class action lawsuit claims Kroger’s blueberry cereal bars get their flavoring from artificial ingredients,  namely the synthetic form of malic acid, and that the grocer fails to conspicuously disclose this fact to consumers. 

“Since the ingredients are listed in order of predominance by weight, listing ‘Malic Acid’ before ‘Natural Flavor’ means the filling contains more artificial fruit flavoring than natural fruit flavor,” the Kroger class action states.

Aquaphor class action alleges products contain preservatives despite contrary advertising

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Beiersdorf Inc. last month, arguing the skincare company falsely advertises Aquaphor-branded lip repair products contain no preservatives.

The lawsuit claims Aquaphor lip repair products contain the well-known preservative sodium ascorbyl phosphate and that Beiersdorf only labels them as preservative-free to induce health-conscious consumers into purchasing them. 

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

Hershey falsely advertises organic, plant-based chocolate, class action alleges

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against The Hershey Co. over claims it falsely claims its organic, plant-based chocolate is ethically sourced and sustainable. 

In reality, Hershey’s organic, plant-based chocolate contains a sourcing visibility of only 68%, meaning nearly one-third of the product is sourced from unknown farmers and farmer groups, the Hershey class action alleges.  

“The simple fact is that Hershey does not know whether 32 percent of its cocoa volume is sustainable—or not,” the Hershey class action states. 

Mott’s class action claims bloody mary mix not actually free of preservatives

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Mott’s LLP and Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. last month, arguing the companies falsely labeled its Mr. & Mrs. T Original Bloody Mary Mix contains no preservatives. 

The class action lawsuit claims Mr. & Mrs. T Original Bloody Mary Mix contains the preservative 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.

QC Kinetix pressures potential patients, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against QC Kinetix, Med-Den Funding, Security First Bank and Regenerative Health of Champaign over claims the companies worked together to promote unapproved medical treatments and engaged in fraudulent financing conduct. 

The class action lawsuit claims QC Kinetix pressures and upsells potential patients seeking information about treatments and obtains financing for them through Med-Den Funding and Security First Bank. 

A judge later dismissed Security First Bank from the complaint at the end of January. 

Have you been deceived by false advertising? Let us know in the comments.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Albertsons class action claims retailer sends unwanted text messages
• Apple class action claims company won’t service watches for those with ICDs
• Herbal Essences, Pantene products falsely advertise naturally derived ingredients, class action claims
• Real Water to pay $129M over consumer liver failures