Metamucil class action alleges many product claims false, misleading

Metamucil class action overview:

• Who: A Metamucil customer sued the product’s manufacturer, The Procter & Gamble Co.
• Why: The plaintiff says some of the Metamucil products are falsely marketed as being good for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, controlling appetite and promoting digestive health when they are not.
• Where: The Metamucil lawsuit was filed in a California federal court.

Some Metamucil products are falsely advertised as supporting healthy blood sugar levels, appetite control and digestive health when they do not, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiff Tara Amado filed the class action lawsuit against The Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) Sept. 22 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

P&G sells Metamucil brand fiber-powder dietary supplements that it claims helps to support “Healthy Blood Sugar Levels,” “Appetite Control” and “Digestive Health,” the Metamucil class action states.

However, according to the lawsuit, P&G’s representations are highly misleading because “compelling scientific evidence” demonstrates that the Metamucil powders, due to their added sugar content, actually decrease appetite control, harm blood sugar levels and damage digestive health.

“In short, consuming the high-sugar Metamucil Powders results in unhealthy changes in blood sugar levels,” the Metamucil class action claims.

Metamucil class action alleges products’ marketing deceives customers

The Metamucil powders challenged in the lawsuit include varieties of Metamucil that contain added sugar, namely Metamucil’s Unflavored and Orange Flavored Fiber Powders.

P&G adds large amounts of sugar to these products, the Metamucil class action states.

Following the appetite control instructions for the unflavored and orange-flavored Metamucil Powders would lead a consumer to drink up to 21g and 48g of added sugar per day, respectively, Amado says, despite the product claiming to be good for blood sugar levels.

“Because of these representations, the average consumer would not expect that consuming the Metamucil Powders as instructed would actually decrease appetite control, harm blood sugar levels and heart health, and damage digestive health,” the lawsuit claims

Amado seeks to represent a class of United States residents who bought Metamucil powder in the past four years.

She sued for violations of state consumer laws and breach of warranty and seeks certification of the class action lawsuit, an order forcing the company to destroy false marketing, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

In related news, in 2020, the company behind Benefiber natural fiber supplement faced a federal class action lawsuit over claims the product is not 100% natural despite its labeling and advertising. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case later that year. 

Have you consumed Metamucil productswith added sugar? Let us know your experience in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Jack Fitzgerald, Paul K. Joseph, Melanie Persinger, Trevor M. Flynn and Caroline S. Emhardt of Fitzgerald Joseph LLP.

The Metamucil class action lawsuit is Tara Amado v. The Procter & Gamble Co., Case No. 3:22-cv-05427, in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California. 

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