Orgain Class Action Claims Almondmilk Contains Fake Vanilla

A customer has filed a class action lawsuit against Orgain Inc. over claims that the company’s almondmilk contains imitation vanilla.

The Orgain vanilla almondmilk class action lawsuit was filed by Herbie Hamilton who says he purchased Orgain vanilla almondmilk under the belief that it was flavored with real vanilla.

However, he claims that after he made his purchase he discovered the almondmilk was flavored with imitation vanilla.

According to Hamilton, the front of the packaging reads “Orgain Organic Protein Almondmilk” and “Unsweetened Vanilla.” He says he and many other reasonable consumers took this to mean that the product was flavored with real vanilla.

However, the back of the package reportedly does not list vanilla or vanilla extract, and instead lists “natural flavors.” The Orgain almondmilk class action lawsuit says this means the product is flavored with imitation vanilla instead of real vanilla.

According to the Orgain almondmilk false advertising class action lawsuit, although vanilla is a natural flavor, the package should have listed “vanilla,” instead of “natural flavors” due to food labeling laws.

The almondmilk class action lawsuit says Orgain lists “natural flavors” instead of “vanilla” as a way to mislead consumers.

Allegedly, vanilla is subject to particular regulations, requiring a company to list imitation vanilla, if that is used. This means that even if the imitation vanilla was made of natural flavoring, a product that is advertised to be vanilla but is made with imitation vanilla must be labeled with a qualifier, such as “vanilla flavoring.” 

According to the class action lawsuit, Orgain knowingly tricks consumers into thinking they are receiving a more valuable product than they get. Hamilton notes that vanilla is the most popular flavoring in the United States, and is also one of the most expensive flavors in the world.

Vanilla’s popularity and price allegedly makes it very vulnerable to imitation, as food producers seek out a cheaper way to satisfy consumers. However, many consumers seek out vanilla for its value, and are willing to pay a premium price for it. 

According to Hamilton, Orgain intentionally passed off a less-desirable product as a more-desirable product to consumers in the interest of boosting the company’s profits. 

Have you discovered that a product you purchased was made with imitation vanilla? Tell us more in the comments below.

Hamilton is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.

The Orgain Vanilla Almondmilk Class Action Lawsuit is Herbie Hamilton v. Orgain Inc., Case No. 1:20-cv-01084, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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