Think class action claims protein bars falsely advertised as containing no artificial sweeteners

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Think protein bars class action overview: 

• Who: A protein bar consumer is suing Think! protein bar manufacturer Glanbia Performance Nutrition Inc.
• Why: The plaintiff alleges the company misleads consumers into thinking the bars do not contain artificial sweeteners. 
• Where: The Think protein bars class action was filed in an Illinois state court.

A protein bar consumer is suing the maker of Think! protein bars, alleging the company misleads consumers into thinking the bars do not contain artificial sweeteners when they in fact contain maltitol syrup. 

Plaintiff John Daly filed the class action complaint against Glanbia Performance Nutrition Inc. on Jan. 5 in an Illinois federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, Glanbia makes and sells 11 different Think! protein bars in flavors ranging from Chocolate Fudge to Lemon Delight.

According to the lawsuit, Glanbia has been intentionally labeling its products with false and misleading claims that they contain no artificial sweeteners, when the products contain maltitol syrup, an artificial sweetener.

“Plaintiff, like any reasonable consumer, expects that products advertised as containing no artificial sweeteners will only be sweetened with natural sweeteners,” the lawsuit states.  

Glanbia misleads consumers to increase its bottom line, lawsuit alleges

Glanbia is the owner of numerous health and weight-loss brands, including Optimum Nutrition, Isopure, Nutramino, Think!, SlimFast and Body and Fit, the lawsuit states. 

To increase its bottom line through leveraging consumers’ desire for products without artificial sweeteners, it falsely advertises its protein bars, Daly says.

He says he purchased a box of Think! Creamy Peanut Butter protein bars in December 2022 because of the company’s advertising claiming that the products contained no artificial sweeteners. However, the product contains maltitol. According to Daly, maltitol is a synthetic chemical created through a process involving the hydrogenation of starch.

Daly says Glanbia knew or should have known that maltitol syrup is a synthetic sweetener. 

“By making false and misleading claims about the products, [Glanbia] impaired plaintiff’s ability to choose the type and quality of products he chose to buy,” the lawsuit states.

As a result, Daly says he ended up paying a higher price for what he thought was a “premium” product.

The plaintiff seeks to represent all consumers in the U.S. who purchased the Think! protein bars within the last five years, plus an Illinois class. 

Daly is suing for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, unjust enrichment and fraud, and seeks certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

Meanwhile, KIND is facing a class action lawsuit alleging it overstates the protein content of its nut and cereal products in its marketing. 

What do you think about the allegations about Think! protein bars in this lawsuit? Let us know in the comments! 

Daly is represented by Steve G. Perry of the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman PC.

The Think! protein bars class action lawsuit is John Daly et al., v. Glanbia Performance Nutrition Inc., Case No. 2023CH00096, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois Chancery Division.

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