Class Actions Say Campbell, Nissin ‘No MSG’ Labels Misleading

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.

MSG Deceptive Labeling Class Action Lawsuit Overview:

• Who: A New York woman has filed deceptive labeling class action lawsuits against Campbell Soup Company and Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co. Inc.
• Why: The plaintiff alleges Campbell and Nissin prominently display “No Added MSG” on some of their food product labels even though they contain MSG-equivalent free glutamates.
• Where: The MSG class action lawsuits were filed in New York federal court.

Campbell Soup Company and Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co. Inc. deceptively label their products as containing “No Added MSG,” according to two class action lawsuits filed this month in New York federal court.

Plaintiff Stephanie Henry of Queens alleges Campbell and Nissin sell food products prominently labeled as “NO ADDED MSG”  or “NO MSG ADDED,” leading consumers to believe the products do not contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) or MSG-equivalent free glutamates. 

Despite the label indicating the products do not contain added MSG, they do actually have added MSG, the class action lawsuits allege. Henry claims that the companies have violated the consumer protection laws of many states by placing the misleading label on the packages.

MSG Associated with Adverse Health Effects, Plaintiff Says

Free glutamates include glutamic acid and its salt. They provide a savory taste that can make a person’s mouth water. However, the consumption of free glutamates may lead to adverse health effects like headaches, obesity, increased blood pressure and psychiatric illness, according to the MSG class action lawsuit.

Many consumers also report allergies and sensitivities to foods that contain free glutamates. They may suffer adverse reactions such as difficulty breathing, facial flushing, chest pain, sweating, facial swelling and increased heart rates, the lawsuit alleges.

Because of the potential adverse health effects associated with the consumption of free glutamates, Henry says many consumers seek to avoid foods that contain MSG.

MSG is the most popular form of free glutamate and is often added to prepared foods to improve their flavor. Even though MSG is only one type of free glutamate that may be added to foods, consumers often use the term to refer to all free glutamates.

“Accordingly, to consumers, the term MSG means any free glutamate,” the Nissin class action lawsuit states. “And the only reason a consumer might want to avoid consuming foods that contain MSG is if they want to avoid consuming free glutamates.”

Campbell, Nissin Class Actions: ‘No MSG’ Labels Mislead Consumers

Because consumers understand the term MSG to refer to any free glutamate, they would understand the label “No MSG” or “No added MSG” to mean that the product does not contain free glutamates, the lawsuit alleges.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that it is misleading to label a product as having “NO MSG” or “NO ADDED MSG” if it contains free glutamates, according to the MSG class action lawsuit.

Henry notes that the labels do disclose that the products contain small amounts of glutamate, but the disclosures are in small print that consumers are unlikely to notice. 

The MSG class action lawsuits assert claims for violations of various state consumer protection statutes.

Henry filed the MSG class action lawsuits on behalf of herself and proposed classes of consumers who purchased Nissen and/or Campbells food products labeled as containing no added MSG.

Join a “No MSG” false advertising class action lawsuit investigation (links to paid attorney advertising).

Henry is represented by Simon Franzini, Jonas B. Jacobson and Alex Van Dyke of Dovel & Luner LLP and by Zack Broslavsky of Broslavsky & Weinman LLP.

The MSG Class Action Lawsuits are Stephanie Henry v. Campbell Soup Company, Case No. 1:22-cv-00431, and Stephanie Henry v. Nissin Foods (U.S.A.) Co. Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-00363, both in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• ‘No MSG’, ‘No Added MSG’ False Advertising Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
• Kellogg’s Fights Pop-Tarts Class Action, Says Customers Don’t Expect ‘Bushel’ of Strawberries
• ‘Goof Proof Insurance’ From Bob’s Discount Furniture Doesn’t Cover Goofs, Class Action Alleges
• Kellogg’s Morningstar Farms Veggie Products Mostly Oil, Grain, Water Class Action Lawsuit Claims