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A recent class action lawsuit alleges that Nature’s Recipe dog food — which was advertised to be healthier for certain pets — could actually harm them.
Eight plaintiffs filed the class action against Big Heart Pet Brands Inc. in the Northern District of California in June 2019 claiming that the brand falsely advertised Nature’s Recipe dog food as being grain free, despite containing both corn and soy.
What Is Nature’s Recipe?
Nature’s Recipe is a brand of dog food distributed throughout the country and manufactured by San Francisco-based company Big Heart Pet Brands. The company is owned by parent organization The J.M. Smucker Company, which also produces several other pet food brands.
The brand promotes its products as offering particular health benefits to dogs that experience certain sensitivities or conditions and offers “recipes” to promote healthy skin as well as for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Nature’s Recipe also has a line of grain free dog foods, purporting them to be appropriate for dogs allergic to grain ingredients, although plaintiffs in the class action allege that independent testing revealed that the products do, in fact, contain grain.
Why Are Pet Owners Suing?
A number of Nature’s Recipe products are advertised specifically as being “grain free.” The dog food is also packaged accordingly with the words “grain free” displayed in large letters on each bag.
Although Nature’s Recipe markets several of its products as not containing grain, corn, or wheat, the plaintiffs in the Big Heart Pet Brands false advertising lawsuit claim that independent testing evidenced that the food contained a significant amount of corn and soy. Plaintiffs say they were charged a premium for the dog food which they wouldn’t have purchased had they known it contained grain ingredients.
According to Petmd.com, some dogs have food allergies that can cause them to suffer reactions from certain ingredients, such as grains. A dog with a grain allergy can exhibit symptoms including itching or scratching, licking, and fur loss as well as suffer from gastrointestinal issues. Two of the plaintiffs in the false advertising class action specifically allege their dogs experienced physical symptoms that are typically associated with allergies.
What Are the Alleged False Advertising Claims?
Plaintiffs allege in the false advertising lawsuit that Big Heart Pet Brands misled them into purchasing Nature’s Recipe products by making false statements of fact and engaging in deceptive practices which allowed them “to collect a premium from unsuspecting consumers.”
Nature’s Recipe dog food made representations about the food being free from grain ingredients that plaintiffs say they relied upon when making their purchases. Plaintiffs argue they were willing to pay more for a grain free food to suit their dog’s needs and would not have bought the dog food, but for Big Heart’s marketing and advertising that the product was “grain free” and “soy protein free.” The complaint makes specific mention of Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe violating false advertising laws.
Plaintiffs raised several false advertising claims in the lawsuit in addition to breach of warranty of merchantability, breach of express warranty as well as violations of the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the consumer protection laws of several states.
Despite Big Heart Pet Brand making a motion to dismiss, a California federal judge ruled that the dog food lawsuit could proceed on most of the claims— including the false advertising claims.
Is There a Nature’s Recipe Dog Food Recall?
There is currently no Nature’s Recipe dog food recall or Big Heart Pet Brands recall. However, pet owners might take note that Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken was subject to a voluntary recall in 2012 related to potential salmonella contamination, according to dogfoodadvisor.com.
Pet food recalls are not uncommon and owners should be mindful of them to ensure their pets are safe — according to petful.com, there were 11 caution letters or recalls for dog foods manufactured by various brands in 2019 alone.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have to give pre-market approval for pet food products, the agency must ensure that the ingredients are safe and appropriate. FDA regulations state that pet food recalls may be voluntary, ordered under the FDA’s authority, or by FDA request.
Who Can File a Nature’s Recipe False Advertising Lawsuit?
Consumers who unknowingly purchased a dog food and relied on the company’s representation that it was grain free may be entitled to monetary compensation — a pet owner should speak with a lawyer for false advertising if their dog suffered an allergic reaction to a product containing grain when the packaging advertised otherwise. A lawyer who knows how to report false advertising law violations and handles class actions can explain your legal rights and remedies.
Consumers who were affected by a Nature’s Recipe dog food product that they purchased believing it was grain free, might be eligible to join the Big Heart Pet Brands class action lawsuit to recover the compensation to which they’re entitled in a class action settlement.
The Big Heart Pet Brands Class Action Lawsuit is Rice-Sherman, 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.
Free Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Dog Food Claim Evaluation
If you live in California and purchased Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Salmon Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food, you may be eligible to participate in a free class action lawsuit investigation.
This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.
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22 thoughts onWhy Are Pet Owners Filing Nature’s Recipe Lawsuits?
Le di esta comida x 10 años a mi pero y ahora comenzó con problemas gastrointestinales y a vomitar espuma blanca y amarilla. Después de visitar el veterinario decidí cambiar de comida y esta súper bien.
How can we join the lawsuit if we live in Southern California?
i switched to this food just two days ago. on the second feeding, three of my five dogs began vomiting foam and had diahrea. my toy poodle started having seizures and ultimately died last night. i’m devastated. there is no doubt in my mind this food caused her death. i have removed the food from my home and am monitoring the other dogs very closely. my mini poodle is showing signs of trouble. this is an outrage.
I don’t live in California but I have had my dogs on this food plus the can food easy digest lamb carrots, pea n barley and now my dogs have diarrhea!! Just ordered the cans from chewy n have not changed anything but what they been eating. If I can’t join y all how can I start a lawsuit in Tennessee??
I live in NJ and my dog has been having allergic reactions. His face blew up so bad I have videos. His body was covered in hives. How can I join the law suit action?
Please add me. I purchased two boxes and now my puppy in hospital for GI issue and diarrhea.
I purchased this dog food because my dog suffers from allergies and tried grain free had her on it for 7 months and was told by my vet to switch her back to grains because she was still very itchy and not really any improvement
I’ve been buying the salmon with sweet potato for years through Chewys and Amazon. Please add me.
And if you are buying this why do you want to be added?
False advertising, that’s why. Playing with our dogs health because our pets don’t have voices.
please add me i was buying this in 2000
used this for quite a few years
Are you still using it? It gets wonderful reviews on dog food advisor.
Wonderful reviews justifies being deceitful with the ingredients?
Please add me
Please add me I live in my dog had allergic reaction to the chicken and I had to take him to 24/7 emergency animal hospital because he broke out in hives.