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Trader Joe’s cereal does not contain real vanilla as advertised, according to a recent class action against the company.
Plaintiff Veronica Sanders claims that Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Clusters Cereal is falsely advertised as having a “blend of Vanilla Oat Clusters, Corn Flakes, Multigrain Flakes and Almonds.”
These representations are misleading, Sanders argues, because the cereal does not contain real vanilla.
Vanilla is a popular flavor in numerous types of food. Genuine vanilla is derived from the vanilla bean and can come in extracts, powders or other forms.
The ingredient list for the Trader Joe’s cereal reportedly names “natural flavor” instead of a pure vanilla ingredient such as “vanilla extract.” Sanders says the ingredient list indicates that real vanilla is not the only source of flavoring in the product.
Sanders argues that Trader Joe’s cereal is altered with other flavors, as indicated by the product’s ingredient list. Unfortunately, the labeling for the Trader Joe’s cereal allegedly fails to reflect this alternate flavoring.
Genuine vanilla can be very expensive – second only to saffron in price. Between the high cost and other factors that impact quality and availability, vanilla is at high risk for food fraud. Food fraud aims to pass lower quality ingredients off as real vanilla which can reportedly result in consumers not getting what they paid for.
The Trader Joe’s cereal class action lawsuit claims that, because the product’s ingredient list includes “natural flavor,” the front label should include a “naturally flavored” disclaimer along with the word “vanilla.” Statements such as “vanilla flavored with other natural flavors” would reportedly satisfy the disclaimer requirement.
Without the “naturally flavored” disclaimer, consumers are allegedly misled and deceived into believing the products are flavored with only vanilla extract. This misconception reportedly results in consumers paying a higher price for the product.
Sanders’ Trader Joe’s cereal class action lawsuit argues that the grocer knows consumers may be deceived by their labeling yet continues to unlawfully portray their products in order to charge higher prices.
“Defendant’s false, deceptive, and misleading branding and packaging of the Product has enabled Defendant to sell 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,” the Trader Joe’s cereal class action lawsuit states.
Sanders says that she and other consumers would not have purchased the product or would not have paid as much if they were aware of the true contents of the Trader Joe’s cereal.
She seeks to represent a Class of consumers who purchased Trader Joe’s cereal in New York and around the United States.
Did you purchase Trader Joe’s cereal believing that the products contained real vanilla? Let us know in the comment section below.
Sanders and the proposed Class Members are represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.
The Trader Joe’s Cereal Class Action Lawsuit is Sanders v. Trader Joe’s Company, Case No. 1:20-cv-00496, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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656 thoughts onTrader Joe’s Class Action Says Cereal is Falsely Advertised
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If its contained in writing and ingredients, it should be as stated… how are we suppose to know??
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