Nature’s Recipe Class Action Says Dog Food Isn’t ‘Grain Free’

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Big Heart Pet Brands, arguing that Nature’s Recipe dog food contains grain, even though it’s marketed as being “grain free.”

Plaintiff John Miller says he has two dogs that had an allergic reaction to Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe dog food.

After consuming the food, his dogs would “chew on their skin” because it itched. This caused the dogs to have pain and discomfort.

In addition, when Miller took the dogs for a walk, he says they would not be able to go more than a few steps and would start chewing their skin to stop the itching.

Miller claims that when he stopped feeding the dogs Nature’s Recipe Grain Free dog food, the itching stopped.

Another plaintiff, Valerie Mortz Roger, says she bought the dog food specifically because it was “grain free,” because her dog has grain allergies. 

However, both plaintiffs claim that independent testing confirmed that Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe dog food contains “significant amounts” of both corn and soy.

“Pet owners specifically buy ‘grain free’ and ‘soy protein free’ dog food to prevent a health issue or nutritional deficiency that their dog may be experiencing – and owners willingly pay a premium price to do so,” the Nature’s Recipe dog food class action states.

The plaintiffs claim that Big Heart Pet Brands market their dog foods as being “grain free” and even touts the benefits of having a diet free of grain, such as no corn or wheat, no artificial flavors, and no poultry-by product meat.

The Nature’s Recipe dog food class action lawsuit also states that “Many dogs suffer allergic reactions to foods containing grains, such as corn, wheat, or soy protein. Therefore, having these ingredients omitted from their pet foods is an important characteristic to consumers, including the Plaintiffs and Class Members.”

The Big Heart Pet Brands class action lawsuit claims that the defendant, “misrepresents the ingredients of Nature’s Recipe Food in order to collect a price premium from unsuspecting consumers.”

The plaintiffs are alleging violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty or merchantability, unjust enrichment, and violation of the numerous other state laws.

The proposed Class Members of the Big Heart Pet Brands class action lawsuit are “All persons residing in the United States who, during the maximum period of time permitted by law, purchased Nature’s Recipe Food primarily for personal, family or household purposes, and not for resale.”

The plaintiffs are represented by Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Kohn Swift & Graf PC, Gary Mason, Danielle Perry and Hunter Bryson of Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP, Gregory F. Coleman of Greg Coleman Law PC, Jeffrey Goldenberg of Goldenberg Schneider LPA, Charles Schaffer of Levin Sedran & Berman LLP, and by Philip Friedman of Friedman Law Offices.  

The Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit is Miller, et al. v. Big Heart Pet Brands Inc., Case No. 3:19-cv-03613, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Read More Lawsuit & Settlement News:

Spirit Airlines Class Action Says ‘Shortcut Security’ is Complete Sham

Jury Awards $25 Million in Talc and Asbestos Cancer Trial

HomeAway Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Fake Listings

How Long Does It Take for Asbestos to Cause Lung Cancer?