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A pet owner claims he and other consumers have paid a premium for Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet dog food based on misleading marketing claims, according to a class action lawsuit lodged against the pet food maker.
Lead plaintiff, John Bakopoulos, alleges that a variety of Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet dog food products are marketed as limited in ingredients. The plaintiff says that he and other pet owners pay more for pet foods with limited ingredients, such as no soy, wheat, or chicken because of their pets’ allergies or intolerance for certain foods.
However, the class action lawsuit alleges that Nutro Limited pet foods are improperly labeled and include ingredients that consumers would not expect based on the products’ packaging.
Bakopoulos says he purchased the Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Dog Food version of the Nutro Limited pet food on several occasions from his local Petco store in 2019. He says that he decided to purchase the product because its labeling claims it is a “limited ingredient” pet food. Bakopoulos claims that he looked at other, cheaper options, but went with Nutro because of its advertising. However, he says he stopped purchasing the product when he learned that the dog food he was sold did not conform to the representations on the label.
Specifically, the class action lawsuit alleges the Nutro Limited dog food products are advertised as containing no chicken, wheat, and soy. Further, the packaging allegedly indicates that the pet food is made of only “10 key ingredients or less.”
However, the plaintiff says that independent testing of Nutro Limited dog food products revealed that they include “material amounts” of chicken, wheat, and soy.
“Pet owners who purchase ‘grain free’ and ‘limited ingredient’ products pay a premium in order to alleviate their pets’ allergies or to provide various health benefits associated with a grain free or limited ingredient diet,” states the complaint.” In addition, pet owners are willing to pay a premium for dog food with premium ingredients, and pet owners who spend additional money for these benefits expect the products that are advertised in this manner to conform to the ingredients as listed on their packaging.”
The following products are falsely advertised, according to the class action lawsuit:
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Salmon & Lentils Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Duck & Lentils Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Venison Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Dog Food
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Large Breed Lamb & Sweet Potato
- Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Small Bites Adult Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe
According to the complaint, research reveals that pet foods rarely conform to the ingredients listed on the products’ packaging. The class action lawsuit points out several studies conducted on pet food that confirmed the presence of “non-conforming” ingredients in many pet foods.
In addition, contends the complaint, pet food labeling is often vague and inaccurate, making it difficult for consumers to determine what should be in the product. Researchers allegedly concluded that cross contamination is rampant in the pet food industry and quality control is inadequate.
The plaintiff says that he and other consumers relied on representations made about the ingredients in the Nutro Limited dog foods, rather than purchasing cheaper dog food, to avoid ingredients that could cause health problems for their pets.
“Nothing on the Nutro Limited Ingredient Diets packaging gives the reasonable consumer information suggesting that he or she is purchasing a product that contains chicken, wheat, or soy,” asserts the complaint. “In fact, it leads the reasonable consumer to believe the opposite.”
The class action lawsuit alleges that the misrepresentations about the products’ ingredients are material and amount to breach of warranty and violations of federal and Illinois’ consumer protection laws.
The class action lawsuit seeks to represent Illinois residents who purchased Nutro Limited pet food products. The plaintiff is seeking damages and attorney fees.
Have you purchased Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet dog food for your pet? We want to hear from you! Tell us your experience in the comment section below.
Bakopoulos and the proposed Class Members are represented by Gregory F. Coleman of Greg F. Coleman Law PC, Nick Suciu III of Barbat, Masour, Suciu & Tomina PLLC, and Daniel K. Bryson and J. Hunter Bryson of Whitfield Bryson LLP.
The Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit is Bakopoulos v. Mars Petcare US Inc., Case No. 1:20-cv-06841, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
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31 thoughts onNutro Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food Mislabeled, Says Class Action Lawsuit
Add me please. My 4 year old shihtzu passed away from eating this brand dog food
Nutro lamb and brown rice says no chicken on the bag ,yet it does contain chicken, my dog has had multiple trips to the vet with bloody vomit and and stools due to her chicken allergy. This is very deceptive
Please add me. My shih tzu has bad allergies and i have been feeding this for years because its limited ingredient
Any updates on this claim?
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Is this the reason why I can’t find this particular dog food in stores anymore? We’re almost out and I can’t buy it anywhere. I’ve been searching for weeks. If I have to switch brands so we can keep a limited diet for my boy, we will not be switching back.
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