Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A class action lawsuit claims that Annie’s Homegrown pastas, fruit snacks, and cereals are not preservative free, as the company claims.
The Annie’s Homegrown class action lawsuit was filed by Saleha Abdullah, who says that she made several purchases of Annie’s products from stores in California.
She says that before purchasing, she relied on label representations that Annie’s Organic Macaroni and Cheese, Annie’s Organic Cheesy Ravioli, Annie’s Organic All Stars Pasta in Tomato & Cheese Sauce and other items were free from preservatives.
Abdullah says that these representations are false, because Annie’s products do contain preservatives, including citric acid and/or ascorbic acid, xantham gum, and tocopherols. These are allegedly common preservatives, considered by the Food and Drug Administration to be preservatives.
The Annie’s preservatives class action lawsuit says that Annie’s knew or should have known that their products contained preservatives and misrepresented the products in an attempt to attract consumers into purchasing them.
Some of the other items noted in the Annie’s class action lawsuit as having preservatives include:
- Annie’s Organic Bernie’s Farm Fruit Snacks
- Annie’s Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks Berry Patch
- Annie’s Organic Frosted Oak Flakes
- Annie’s Bunny Pasta Yummier Than Ever
- Annie’s Raspberry Half Iced Tea Half Lemonade
- Annie’s Spirals with Butter & Parmesan Macaroni and Cheese
- Annie’s Mac & Trees Yummier Than Ever
- Annie’s Organic Bernie O’s Pasta in Tomato & Cheese Sauce
- Annie’s Organic Flaky Biscuits
Abdullah was allegedly injured by Annie’s Homegrown misrepresentations of the products because had she known that the products contained preservatives, she would not have purchased them or would not have paid as much as she did for them.
The plaintiff says she would purchase the products again if she could be sure that Annie’s changed the composition of their products to be consistent with the “no preservatives” labeling.
The Annie’s class action lawsuit notes that the FDA defines a chemical preservative as “any chemical that, when added to food, tends to prevent or retard deterioration thereof, but does not include common salt, sugars, vinegars, spices, oils extracted form spices, substances added to food by direct exposure to wood smoke, or chemicals applied for their insecticidal or herbicidal properties.”
Allegedly, by this definition, ingredients included in Annie’s pastas, fruit snacks, and other food items do indeed qualify as preservatives, and are among the most common preservatives.
The Annie’s class action lawsuit notes that the low pH of ascorbic acid, an organic compound, can help prevent microbial growth, thereby preventing spoilage and preserving freshness.
The Annie’s Homegrown class action lawsuit says that Annie’s misrepresents the products as not containing preservatives in an effort to take advantage of consumers’ preference for healthier foods with no preservatives.
Allegedly, consumers are wiling to pay more for these foods because of the perceived higher quality and health benefits associated with preservative-free foods.
Abdullah notes that Annie’s charges a premium for its products that consumers are willing to pay because they believe the products to be healthy.
The plaintiff argues that she and many other consumers were misled by Annie’s representations and were injured by them. She aims to represent herself and all other similarly affected consumers.
This new preservatives class action lawsuit follows another similar one taking issue with Annie’s alleged inclusion of preservatives in their products.
Abdullah is represented by Reuben D. Nathan of Nathan & Associates APC.
The Annie’s Homegrown No Preservatives Class Action Lawsuit is Saleha Abdullah v. Annie’s Homegrown Inc., Case No. 3:19-cv-02441, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
663 thoughts onAnnie’s Class Action Says Mac & Cheese Contains Preservatives
Add me please. My two small children nearly lived off this stuff before I realized how harmful it was. It was supposed to be organic and healthy for them.
I use this often . Add me please
Add me