Nabisco class action alleges crackers falsely advertised as whole wheat

Nabisco whole wheat class action overview: 

• Who: A New York woman sued Mondelez.
• Why: The plaintiff claims the company falsely markets Nabisco whole grain crackers.
• Where: The Nabisco whole wheat class action lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court. 

A New York woman slapped Mondelez with a class action lawsuit alleging it misled consumers into believing Nabisco Whole Grain Premium Saltine Crackers are predominantly made with whole grain flour when they are not.

Plaintiff Edna Norment Ransom filed the class action lawsuit against Nabisco parent company Mondelez Global LLC Aug. 16 in a New York federal court. 

The lawsuit claims the company’s branding of Nabisco Whole Grain Premium Saltine Crackers is deceptive and violates both state and federal consumer laws. 

It alleges Nabisco’s packaging prominently features the term “whole grain” to induce health-conscious consumers to purchase a product they believe is primarily made from whole grain flour. 

However, according to the lawsuit, the main flour ingredient in the crackers is actually non-whole grain enriched wheat flour, which contradicts the branding and label.

Plaintiff says she felt ‘deceived and overcharged,’ according to class action lawsuit

Ransom says she bought the product from a local Walmart in March 2024, paying approximately $3.70. 

She claims she relied on the “whole grain” claim displayed on the front of the package and believed the crackers were made predominantly from whole grain flour. When she discovered that the crackers were mostly composed of enriched wheat flour instead, she felt she had been “deceived and overcharged,” the lawsuit states.

The class action also highlights the growing concern among consumers about misleading food labeling, particularly when it comes to whole grain claims. 

The Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission noted unqualified whole grain claims can easily confuse consumers, leading them to believe products with a mix of whole and refined grains are mostly made from whole grains, the Nabisco class action lawsuit states.

It points to a recent study showing nearly half of the respondents mistakenly believed bread labeled with a whole grain claim was healthier than bread where whole grain was the primary ingredient, which it claims further underscores the confusion caused by such marketing tactics.

Ransom seeks to represent anyone in the United States who bought the crackers under the same mistaken belief. 

She’s suing for violations of New York General Business Law and seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

In related news, a consumer hit Kellogg’s with a class action lawsuit alleging Harvest Wheat Toasteds crackers contain a smaller amount of whole grain than what the company represents on its packaging. 

What do you think of the allegations in this Nabisco class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments! 

The Nabisco whole wheat class action lawsuit is Edna Norment Ransom v. Mondelez Global LLC, Case No. 1:24-cv-06216, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. 

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