Settlement Reached in Annie Chun ‘No MSG Added’ Class Action

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Prepackaged food company CJ America has agreed pay $1.5 million to settle a deceptive advertising class action lawsuit alleging that it misled consumers with the label “No MSG Added” on its popular Annie Chun branded soup and noodle products.

In October of 2014, lead plaintiff Dennis Peterson filed the Annie Chun MSG deceptive advertising class action lawsuit, alleging that contrary to CJ America’s “No MSG Added” label, monosodium glutamate (MSG) was either already in the ingredients used in the food products, or was created through the cooking process.

Last week, Peterson asked the court to approve the proposed deceptive advertising class action settlement.

Though it continues to deny any wrongdoing, CJ America has agreed to pay $1.5 million to anyone in the United States or Canada who purchased one or more Annie Chun brand soup or noodle prepackaged food products between Nov 19, 2012, through the date the court approves the settlement.

Eligible claimants will be paid $1.50 per food item purchased, up to $15.00 with no proof of purchase. The CJ America MSG deceptive advertising class action lawsuit anticipates that receipts, packaging such as labels and bar codes, and “other documentation from a third-party commercial source reasonably establishing the purchase” of Annie Chun food items will be accepted for those claimants who wish to prove they purchased more than 10 items.

If any of the $1.5 million settlement is left after all claims are paid, the class action lawsuit settlement will donate the remainder to the following organizations to promote healthy food advertising and labeling: the Mayo Clinic, Action for Healthy Kids, and the National Farm to School Network.

In addition to the cash settlement payout, CJ America has agreed to not use the label “No MSG Added” on any packaging, marketing, or advertisements for a period of three years after the settlement is approved.

Under the terms of the proposed Annie Chun MSG labeling class action settlement, the CJ America food products that qualify for this potential deceptive advertising class action settlement are “Annie Chun’s Noodle Bowl, Soup Bowl, and Ramen House product lines that were labeled ‘NO MSG ADDED’: Chinese Chicken Soup Bowl, Hot & Sour Soup Bowl, Korean Kimchi Soup Bowl, Miso Soup Bowl, Thai Tom Yum Soup Bowl, Udon Soup Bowl, Vietnamese Pho, Garlic Scallion Noodle Bowl, Korean Sweet Chili Noodle Bowl, Kung Pao Noodle Bowl, Pad Thai Noodle Bowl, Peanut Sesame Noodle Bowl, Teriyaki Noodle Bowl, Soy Ginger Ramen, Spicy Chicken Ramen, and Spring Vegetable Ramen.”

If the CJ America MSG class action settlement is approved, notice will be provided to potential claimants starting in January 2016, and claims must be filed before March 25, 2016.

In the deceptive advertising class action lawsuit, Peterson alleged that he was misled by the “No MSG Added” label on CJ America’s Annie Chun Udon Soup Bowl. The class action lawsuit also alleged that MSG can cause side effects such as headaches or nausea.

Claim filing instructions for the MSG labeling class action settlement were not immediately available. Keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter for the latest updates. You can also mark this article as a “Favorite” using your free Top Class Actions account to receive notifications when this article is updated.

Peterson is represented by Rosemary M. Rivas of Finklestein Thompson LLP and Marc L. Godino of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP.

The Annie Chun MSG Deceptive Advertising Class Action Lawsuit is Peterson v. CJ America Inc., Case No. 14-cv-2570 DMS JLB, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

UPDATE: On Apr. 12, 2016, the Annie Chun’s “No MSG Added” class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a Claim Form or visit www.NoMSGAddedSettlement.com for details.

UPDATE 2: On Dec. 31, 2016, Top Class Actions viewers who submitted timely and valid claims for the Annie Chun’s class action settlement began receiving checks worth as much as $15! Congratulations to all our readers who got PAID!