Crystal Light Class Action Alleges Synthetic Flavoring

The Kraft Heinz Company is facing class action allegations that its Crystal Light Liquid and Crystal Light Pure products are falsely advertised as having “no artificial flavors.”

Plaintiff Narguess Noohi claims that the Crystal Light products contain artificial DL-malic acid which is synthetically manufactured and helps promote the tart and fruity taste of the low calorie beverage.

The Crystal Light class action challenges the inclusion of synthetic malic acid in the following items:

• Mango Passion Fruit Crystal Light Liquid
• Blueberry Raspberry Crystal Light Liquid
• Berry Sangria Crystal Light Liquid
• Black Cherry Lime Crystal Light Liquid
• Tropical Coconut Crystal Light Liquid
• Strawberry Kiwi Crystal Light Pure
• Grape Crystal Light Pure
• Tropical Blend Crystal Light Pure
  

The plaintiff states that while L-malic acid naturally appears in some fruits, D-malic acid does not and is generally found in a racemic mixture.

Therefore, by adding artificial DL-malic acid to a natural chemical combination of sugar and L-malic acid, Crystal Light can no longer be considered having all natural flavors, the lawsuit alleges.

Noohi says there was no way for her to know that the products were artificially flavored “without an advanced understanding of organic chemistry and without performing chemical analysis on the Products.”

The Crystal Light class action notes that under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act artificial flavors are clearly defined and DL-malic acid wouldn’t be considered natural.

“DL-Malic Acid is not derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof,” the Crystal Light class action states.

Noohi believes Kraft Heinz deliberately mislabeled their Crystal Light products in an effort to get consumers to pay for a product they wouldn’t want if it wasn’t labeled “no artificial flavors.”

Kraft Heinz has faced similar class action allegations in recent years. In 2018, a class action lawsuit claimed that consumers are misled by Crystal Light’s marketing because the drink doesn’t contain fruit juice, rather malic acid and water.

Noohi seeks to represent all consumers in the U.S. who purchased any of the Crystal Light products in question within the past 10 years. In addition, Noohi wants to represent a subclass of all Californians who bought the covered products in the last 10 years.

Did you purchase Crystal Light thinking it contained “no artificial flavors?” If so, let us know in the comment section below.

Noohi is represented by Todd Friedman and Meghan George of Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman PC.

The Crystal Light Synthetic Ingredient Class Action Lawsuit is Noohi v. The Kraft Heinz Company, Case No. 2:19-cv-10658-DSF-SK, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. 

UPDATE: On July 20, 2020, a federal judge denied Kraft Heinz’s request to dismiss a Crystal Light class action lawsuit claiming the products don’t contain artificial flavors.

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