Snyder’s Snacks Aren’t ‘All Natural,’ Class Action Lawsuit Says

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A class action lawsuit has been filed against the snack company Snyder’s-Lance Inc. for allegedly labeling its pretzel and chip snacks “all natural” when they’re allegedly made with artificial colors and genetically modified ingredients.

It is a multi-state class action lawsuit filed by residents from Florida, New York and California. The plaintiffs are Todd Barron and Adele Ferrera of Florida, Matthew McDonough of New York and David Korn of California.

The plaintiffs claim that from Nov. 13, 2009, through the present day, Snyder’s deceptively marketed some of its snack products as “all natural” when they allegedly contain “unnatural genetically-modified organisms (“GMOs”) and, in many cases, other unnatural artificial and synthetic ingredients,” the class action lawsuit says.

The products at issue in the class action lawsuit include several of kinds of Snyder’s pretzels and snacks, reduced fat tortilla chips, Cape Cod Chips, EatSmart Snacks and Padrinos Chips.

The products allegedly come with labels that claim the snack foods are made with ingredients that are “All Natural,” “natural” and/or “naturals.”

“Specifically, all of the Products contain unnatural, genetically-modified ingredients, and may of the Products also contain unnatural artificial, synthetic, and highly processed ingredients,” the Snyder’s class action lawsuit claims. “Snyder’s Snacks contain either genetically-modified canola oil or genetically-modified corn.”

The plaintiffs also include a list of synthetic ingredients in the Snyder’s Snacks such as maltodextrin, niacin, reduced iron, dextrose, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin and folic acid.

The California, Florida and New York residents claim that it is because of these ingredients that the words “all natural” are deceptive.

“The defendant misleads and deceives reasonable consumers, including the named plaintiffs and the other members of the classes by portraying products containing non-natural, genetically modified ingredients and other non-natural artificial and synthetic ingredients as ‘All Natural,’ ‘natural’ and/or ‘naturals,'” the plaintiffs say.

The plaintiffs cite false advertising and intentional misrepresentation violations of Florida law and are seeking injunctive relief as well as unspecified damages.

In July, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its input on whether foods that contain genetically modified ingredients can be labeled and marketed as “all natural.” Rogers decided to stay the lawsuit for six months, while the court waits for the FDA to offer an opinion.

Since the judge’s request, “all natural” deceptive marketing lawsuits have been on the rise.

Similar to this case, that lawsuit charged Gruma Corp. with deceptive marketing by labeling its Mission Restaurant Style tortilla chips “all natural” even though they are made with genetically modified corn.

The California federal court has become a popular venue for “all natural” labeling lawsuits, charging companies with violating consumer protection laws.

The plaintiffs in the Snyder’s lawsuit are represented by the Law Offices of Howard W. Rubinstein PA.

The Snyder’s Snacks Class Action Lawsuit is Barron, et al. v. Snyder’s-Lance Inc., Case No. 0:13-cv-62496, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

UPDATE: Snyder-Lance motioned to dismiss the “all natural” class action lawsuit on March 10, 2014, arguing that plaintiffs were not injured.

UPDATE 2: On Mar. 11, 2016, the Snyder’s snacks “all natural” class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim or visit www.snackfoodsettlement.com.

UPDATE 3: On Nov. 19, 2016, Top Class Actions readers who submitted timely and valid claims for the Snyder’s settlement started receiving checks worth as much as $10. Congratulations to everyone who got PAID!