A recent Silk class action claims that the almondmilk doesn’t actually contain real vanilla as advertised by the company.
Silk almondmilk comes in numerous sizes (8, 12, 32, 64, and 96 ounce cartons) and in several flavors (vanilla, light vanilla, and light vanilla less sugar).
Although these products are advertised with “vanilla” statements on the label, the recent class action claims that Silk almondmilk doesn’t actually contain vanilla.
Vanilla is a highly sought after flavor, but pure vanilla extract is very expensive. To compensate for this, there are countless imitation vanilla products available which allow products to have a vanilla flavor without the pure vanilla price tag. Unfortunately, vanilla is reportedly the subject of “food fraud.” This refers to schemes in which consumers get less than they bargained for.
According to the Silk almondmilk class action, vanilla is considered to be a “high-risk [for food fraud] product because of the multiple market impact factors such as natural disasters in the source regions, unstable production, wide variability of quality and value of vanilla flavorings.”
The Silk class action claims that the almondmilk is fraudulently labeled because the front labels represent that the product’s vanilla flavor is derived exclusively from vanilla plants. This is allegedly false, with the vanilla flavor reportedly coming from “natural flavor” found on the ingredient list.
When natural flavoring is used to reinforce the flavor of a product, products are allegedly required to be labeled as “vanilla with other natural flavors.” Silk almondmilk reportedly fails to comply with these labeling standards.
“Because the Products contain flavor not derived from the characterizing food ingredient of vanilla, their unqualified, prominent and conspicuous representation as ‘Vanilla Almondmilk’ is false, deceptive and misleading,” the Silk class action claims.
Consumers are allegedly misled by these representations, meaning that they may spend their money on the products assuming that they are purchasing almondmilk with authentic vanilla flavoring. Because consumers are not actually purchasing a product with real vanilla, they are reportedly not getting their money’s worth in their purchase.
“The proportion of the characterizing component, vanilla, has a material bearing on price or consumer acceptance of the Products because it is more expensive and desired by consumers,” the Silk almondmilk class action argues. “Had Plaintiff and Class members known the truth about the Products, they would not have bought the Product or would have paid less for it.”
Plaintiffs in the Silk class action seek to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased any Silk vanilla almondmilk products.
The Silk almondmilk class action lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement, monetary damages, treble damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.
Have you purchased Silk vanilla almondmilk under the assumption that the products contained real vanilla? Do you think Silk should be ordered to change their labeling to appropriately reflect the flavoring source? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
Plaintiffs and the proposed Class are represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC and Michael R. Reese of Reese LLP.
The Silk Almondmilk Class Action Lawsuit is Trust, et al. v. Silk Operating Company LLC, Case No. 7:19-cv-08442, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
1,721 thoughts onSilk Almondmilk Doesn’t Contain Vanilla, Class Action Says
Please add me to the list I had bariatric surgery and was this milk was on my list for natural things to drink and it’s false advertising not good to mislead people that are looking into all natural
Please include me. I love Silk Almond milk and I won’t drink the regular because I don’t like taste.
Once I tasted the lower sugar, lower calorie vanilla Almond milk I was in love. I thought I was drinking everything really healthy for once besides water.
Please add me
Oh you guys just want a quick paycheck lol. You know you don’t care.. paying $2-3 for almond milk with real vanilla flavoring is suspicious, you already Know it costs damn near $20 just for a small vial of real vanilla extract. You’re better off buying that and adding it into the regular almond milk.
If it’s in a package or carton, do your homework.
I don’t drink regular milk so i thought tha i was being healthy while drinking silk alnond milk. That is false advertising.
Yes please add my name and email to the list i been buying this milk for a long time
I Agree that advertising vanilla and not stating artificial vanilla is false advertising I know I am visualizing real vanilla when I see that on the label . Advertising‘s Main goal is to psychologically deceive remember the packaging of potato chips 2/3 Air 1/3 product. Go get them
Please include my name and email to this Class Action Lawsuit
I assume the contrary….I automatically assume it is not real vanilla extract unless it specifically states it is. I think this lawsuit is a waste of time, money and for people who like to sue.
Add me to this lawsuit please m. I purchased Silk almond milk, under the assumption that it contained all natural ingredients.
Silk products are also very cross contaminated. If you have a soy allergy, don’t drink their almond milk. The label states possible contamination but my allergic response is so intense to their almond milk, I know it’s a bad cross contamination. Stick with blue diamond.