Sun Vista Class Action Says Canned Beans Contain Mostly Water

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The labels on Sun Vista canned beans misrepresent how much product is actually contained within the can, according to a class action lawsuit removed to California federal court on Tuesday.

Plaintiffs William Beckman and Linda Gandara, both residents of San Diego, claim that they purchased one or more cans of Sun Vista Beans but were misled by the label as to how much product was included in the cans.

According to the Sun Vista beans class action lawsuit, Beckman and Gandara were misled by the portrayal of a bowl full of beans on the label and the size of the can, which they believed would be filled with beans.

The plaintiffs also state that they were deceived by the information listed on the label that indicated how much beans were contained in the can.

Sun Vista beans are sold in 15-ounce, 29-ounce, 40-ounce and 108-ounce cans, as well as an eight-pack of 15-ounce cans, the Sun Vista class action lawsuit states. The cans portray “a bowl full of plump and hearty beans with glimmer of shine, and little to no water,” the plaintiffs claim.

However, after opening a can of Sun Vista beans and pouring the contents into a bowl, “consumers are met with the repulsive sight of bean water,” the Sun Vista class action states. This sight is a far cry from the image portrayed on the label, the plaintiffs complain.

“The image of a bowl full of hearty beans with little to no water placed on the label of Sun Vista Beans is a blatant misrepresentation of what is truly inside the container, and inappropriately large amount of water and a small amount of beans,” the Sun Vista canned beans class action lawsuit alleges.

Gandara says she conducted an experiment at home in which she opened a 29-ounce can of Sun Vista pinto beans and drained all of the water out of the can. According to the Sun Vista class action lawsuit, she was left with less than half a can of beans. She says that the 29-ounce can of beans actually contains 16 ounces of water and only 13 ounces of beans.

“Although consumers can expect to find some water in canned beans because they are a rehydrated product, it is unreasonable to anticipate that a container of canned beans would be filled with significantly more water than beans,” the plaintiffs allege in the Sun Vista canned beans class action lawsuit.

Beckman and Gandara would not have purchased cans of Sun Vista beans if it were not for the misrepresentations, the Sun Vista class action lawsuit states.

The Sun Vista beans class action lawsuit names as defendants Arizona Canning Company LLC, which cans and preserves food products including Sun Vista beans, and Stater Bros. Markets, which sells Sun Vista beans throughout southern California.

By filing the Sun Vista beans class action lawsuit, Beckman and Gandara seek to represent a Class of all consumers who purchased Sun Vista whole bean products from a retailer within the state of California within the last four years.

The Sun Vista canned beans class action lawsuit asserts claims under California law for unfair competition, deceptive and misleading advertising and violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act.

Beckman and Gandara are represented by R. Craig Clark and Dawn M. Berry of Clark Law Group and by William D. Pettersen of Pettersen & Bark.

The Sun Vista Canned Beans Class Action Lawsuit is William Beckman, et al. v. Arizona Canning Company LLC, et al., Case No. 3:16-cv-02792, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.