Mars Petcare falsely advertises pet food as natural, class action alleges

Mars Petcare class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Plaintiff Mersada Cobovic filed a class action lawsuit against Mars Petcare US Inc. 
• Why: Cobovic claims Mars advertises that many of its pet food products are “natural,” when, in reality, they contain numerous synthetic ingredients. 
• Where: The Mars natural pet food class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court. 

Mars Petcare falsely advertises that many of its pet food products are “natural,” a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

Plaintiff Mersada Cobovic’s class action lawsuit claims pet food products represented by Mars as “natural” actually contain multiple synthetic ingredients, including xanthan gum, zinc sulfate and menadione sodium hydrochloride, among others. 

“As a result of its deceptive conduct, Defendant violates state consumer protection statutes and has been unjustly enriched at the expense of consumers,” the Mars Petcare class action says. 

Cobovic wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who, during the maximum period of time permitted by law, purchased Mars’ pet food products for personal, family or household consumption, in addition to a New York subclass of consumers who purchased the products in the state. 

Mars seeks to capitalize on desire for natural pet foods, class action says

Cobovic argues Mars markets its so-called natural pet food products in a “systematically misleading” manner in order to capitalize on a consumer preference to purchase pet food products that are free of synthetic ingredients. 

“Reasonable consumers would understand Defendant’s labeling to mean that the Products contain only natural ingredients, and not any synthetic substances,” the Mars Petcare class action says. 

Cobovic claims Mars is guilty of breach of express warranty and violating New York General Business Law. She demands a jury trial and requests injunctive relief along with an award of compensatory, statutory and punitive damages for herself and all class members. 

In past news involving Mars, a consumer agreed in August 2022 to drop a class action lawsuit filed against Mars after settling claims the company falsely advertised that its Nutro Limited Ingredient premium dog food did not contain any chicken or grain. 

Have you purchased a Mars pet food product represented as “natural”? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Joshua D. Arisohn and Julian C. Diamond of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. 

The Mars Petcare class action lawsuit is Cobovic, et al. v. Mars Petcare US, Inc., Case No. 1:24-cv-07730, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Recall initiated for Answers dog food due to potential salmonella, listeria contamination
• Canine joint support supplements falsely advertised as clinically proven, class action claims
• Nestle, Pedigree, others face pet-related class actions, recalls
• Viva Raw recalls dog, cat food due to potential listeria contamination