Ruffles Class Action Says Chips are Artificially Flavored

A recent class action claims that Frito-Lay‘s Ruffles chips have misleading labels and are flavored with artificial ingredients.

According to plaintiff Oscar Ithier, the Ruffles chips are routinely misrepresented. Specifically, Ithier claims that Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips are advertised in a deceptive way.

Cheddar cheese is a complex mixture of tastes, which Ithier describes as a “sharp, pungent flavor,” while also having a “buttery and milk taste.”

Scientists have reportedly narrowed down the unique flavor of cheddar cheese, and contribute the complex profile to its fatty acids, butyl alcohol, carbonyls, diacetyl, and acetoin content.

Rather than honor the complex flavors found in cheddar cheese, Frito-Lay allegedly attempts to pass their Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles off as high-quality by reinforcing these flavors with artificial flavoring.

According to Ithier, the Ruffles chips include cheddar cheese and sour cream but these flavors are not the only flavoring in the products. Allegedly, the ingredient list includes “Natural and Artificial Flavor” which reinforces the characterizing flavor.

Despite the presence of additional flavorings, these ingredients aren’t reportedly noted on the product labeling. Instead, the front of the products include “Cheddar & Sour Cream” statements along with images of cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Ithier’s Ruffles class action lawsuit claims that, although the labeling includes a “flavored” statement, the presence of artificial flavoring is not indicated as required by federal law.

He claims that federal law requires “any artificial flavor which simulates, resembles or reinforces the characterizing flavor” to be identified clearly on the front label with the flavor designation.

For example, a properly labeled chip product would allegedly include “Artificially Flavored Cheddar & Sour Cream” on the front labeling.

Ithier argues that the products are intentionally misrepresented by Frito-Lay in order to entice consumers into purchasing the Ruffles chips. Allegedly, consumers are more likely to purchase products that are not indicated to contain artificial flavoring.

“Defendant knows consumers will pay more for the Product because the label does not state ‘artificially flavored,’” the Ruffles class action lawsuit claims. “Defendant’s branding and packaging of the Product is designed to – and does – deceive, mislead, and defraud consumers.”

The Ruffles class action claims that Ithier and other consumers were financially injured by Frito-Lay’s conduct because they were deceived into purchasing the products or paying a higher price for the chips than they otherwise would have.

“Defendant has sold more of the Product and at higher prices per unit than it would have in the absence of this misconduct, resulting in additional profits at the expense of consumers,” Ithier argues in his Ruffles class action lawsuit.

Did you purchase Ruffles chips believing the snack was flavored without artificial flavorings? Let us know in the comments section below.

Ithier and the proposed Class are represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC and Michael R. Reese of Reese LLP.

The Ruffles Flavoring Class Action Lawsuit is Ithier v. Frito-Lay North America Inc., Case No. 7:20-cv-01810, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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