Aldi Class Action Says Almondmilk Lacks Vanilla

A class action lawsuit claims that Aldi’s Friendly Farms Almondmilk is not really flavored with vanilla, as advertised, and is instead flavored with imitation vanilla.

The Aldi almondmilk class action lawsuit was filed by Eric Parham who says he purchased Friendly Farms almondmilk based on advertisements that it contained vanilla. 

Parham claims that he was financially injured by Aldi’s misrepresentations of their product because had he known that the almondmilk did not really contain vanilla, he would not have purchased it or would not have paid as much as he did.

He also notes that he would, however, purchase Aldi’s almondmilk in the future if he had assurances that the advertisements were no longer misleading.

The Aldi Friendly Farms Almondmilk class action lawsuit says that Aldi falsely represents its almondmilk as being flavored with vanilla, when in reality, it is flavored with a cheaper substitute. Allegedly, the company attempts to pass off cheaper imitation vanilla as real vanilla in an attempt to entice customers into purchasing the product.

The Aldi almondmilk class action lawsuit notes that vanilla is one of the most popular flavors in the country, and is one of the most expensive. Allegedly, these elements make the flavor sought-after and prized.

According to the Aldi class action lawsuit, the company attempted to increase its profits by advertising a more expensive product to customers, charging them as if it were an expensive product, but in reality, giving them a cheaper, less valuable product.

The Aldi almondmilk class action lawsuit says that Aldi’s actions consist of “food fraud,” noting that vanilla is considered a “high risk” product for food fraud because there are many factors that can limit the supply of vanilla or raise its price.

To support the claim that the Aldi almondmilk does not really contain vanilla, the Aldi almondmilk class action lawsuit says that the ingredients list only “natural flavors” not “vanilla.”

Allegedly, food labeling standards dictate that the most specific name for an ingredient be used. The customers say that though vanilla is a natural flavor, had the natural flavor included in the almondmilk been vanilla, vanilla would have been listed instead of “natural flavors.”

The Aldi almondmilk class action lawsuit says that Aldi intentionally used vague labeling in order to mislead customers into believing that the almondmilk contained vanilla though it did not.

Have you ever purchased a “vanilla” flavored product and then discovered that it did not really contain vanilla? Tell us your story in the comments below.

Parham is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC and by Michael R. Reese of Reese LLP.

The Aldi Friendly Farms Vanilla Almondmilk Class Action Lawsuit is Eric Parham v. Aldi Inc., Case No. 1:19-cv-089785, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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