Kroger Class Action Challenges ‘Raw’ Honey Claims

A recent class action lawsuit claims that Kroger Honey is not “raw” as the grocer claims in their advertisements and labeling.

Kroger reportedly advertises their “Private Selection Raw and Unfiltered Wildflower Honey” and “Simple Truth Organic Raw and Unfiltered Honey” as “raw and unfiltered,” but these representations are allegedly false.

In her Kroger honey class action, plaintiff Kathleen Pope claims that Kroger honey is heated to a high enough temperature to change the honey from raw to processed.

Honey is often processed through pasteurization or filtration to help remove the natural yeast, purify impurities, and extend self life. Most commercial honey is processed, although raw honey has started to increase in popularity amidst consumers.

Raw honey differs from other honey because it is not heated above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. When honey is heated above this temperature, the enzymes start to break down and become denatured. Raw honey maintains these enzymes through minimal processing. The honey is extracted from the honeycombs through straining, but that is the extent of the processing before the packaging process.

As a result, raw honey reportedly contains far more nutrients and antioxidants than processed honey. According to Healthline, the antioxidants found in raw honey have been linked to reduce inflammation, lower heart disease risk, and a decreased cancer risk.

Due to these health benefits, consumers are reportedly willing to pay far more for products marketed as raw honey. According to the Kroger honey class action lawsuit, Kroger takes advantage of this fact by marketing their product as “raw and unfiltered honey.”

Unfortunately, Kroger allegedly heats their honey above 105 degrees during processing, meaning that their products cannot be classified as raw honey.

“Kroger either knew, or should have known, and was reckless in not knowing, that its Raw Honey Products were heated to the point of being cooked, thereby destroying the enzymes that people seek out and expect from the Raw Honey Products,” the Kroger honey class action lawsuit claims.

Despite this fact, the company allegedly continues to market their honey products as raw. In her Kroger honey class action, Pope claims that Kroger deceives consumers with their marketing and causes them to make purchases that they might not have if they had known the honey was not actually raw.

“Kroger knew its Raw Honey Products were both defective and mismarked, but chose to conceal, suppress, or omit these material facts while distributing, marketing, and selling the Raw Honey Products to unsuspecting consumers in Illinois, Ohio, and throughout the United States,” the Kroger honey class action argues.

Pope seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased Kroger’s Raw Honey products in Illinois. The Kroger honey class action seeks equitable relief, declaratory relief, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

Did you purchase Kroger honey believing that the products were raw as advertised? Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Pope and the proposed Class are represented by Richard S. Wayne, William K. Flynn, and Stephen E. Schilling of Strauss Troy Co. LPA, Kent A. Heitzinger of Kent A. Heitzinger & Associates, and Terrence Buehler of The Law Office of Terrence Buehler.

The Kroger Honey Class Action Lawsuit is Pope v. The Kroger Co., Case No. 1:19-cv-00817-MRB, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

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