Frontera, Salpica ‘All Natural’ Salsa, Marinade, Taco Sauce Settlement

A $3.95 million settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that alleges the packaging on certain Frontera and Salpica products was false and deceptive because they were described as “all natural” even though they allegedly contained synthetic ingredients and/or the label listed “evaporated cane juice” instead of “sugar” as an ingredient.

If you purchased Frontera or Salpica branded products between Sept. 1, 2011 and Sept. 11, 2017, you may be entitled to compensation from the class action settlement.

The Frontera and Salpica products covered by the class action settlement include salsas, marinades, queso, taco sauce, soups, seasonings, Bloody Mary mix, and tortilla chips.

According to the fourth amended Frontera class action lawsuit, which was filed Sept. 11, 2017, defendant River North Foods Inc. prominently represents the products as “all natural,” leading consumers to believe they are made up of only natural ingredients.

“The [Federal Trade Commission] recently made clear that ‘all-natural’ or ‘100% natural’ mean just that,” the Frontera class action lawsuit says. “If you advertise your product as ‘all-natural’ or ‘100% natural’ and it contains artificial ingredients or chemicals, now is the natural time for a compliance check.”

The plaintiffs also challenge the inclusion of the term “evaporated cane juice” as an ingredient, when it is essentially “sugar in disguise.” They point to a conclusion by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the term “evaporated cane juice” is misleading because it leads consumers to believe the sweetener is made from juice when its basic characterizing properties are the same as sugar.

Defendant River North Foods Inc. denies the allegations and maintains its products were truthfully packaged and marketed. However, the company has agreed to settle the Frontera class action lawsuit to avoid the burden and expense of ongoing litigation.

Class Members who wish to opt out of or file an objection to the Frontera settlement must do so no later than Nov. 27, 2017.

UPDATE: On March 30, 2018, Top Class Actions viewers started receiving checks worth as much as $5 from the Frontera, Salpica “all natural” class action settlement. Congratulations to everyone who filed a claim and got PAID.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Frontera settlement include anyone who, between Sept. 1, 2011 and Sept. 11, 2017, purchased in the United States any Frontera or Salpica products which contain any of the following terms on the labels: Natural (including All Natural and 100% Natural); Evaporated Cane Juice; Evaporated Cane Sugar; Evaporated Cane Juice Sugar; citric acid; xanthan; xanthan gum; disodium phosphate; dipotassium phosphate; and/or sodium citrate.

A list of the covered products is available here.

NOTE: The products must have been purchased for personal use and not for resale.

Potential Award

Up to $10.

Class Members may claim a benefit of 50 cents per eligible product purchased. Class Members who submit proof of purchase may claim up to 20 products for a total of up to $10 per household, while Class Members without proof of purchase may claim up to 10 products for a maximum of $5 per household.

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase is required. However, claimants who do not submit proof of purchase are limited to a claim of up to $5 while claimants who submit proof of purchase may make a claim for up to $10.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

11/27/2017

Case Name

Angela Barnes, et al. v. River North Foods Inc., Case No. 16-L-459, in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Illinois

Final Hearing

12/4/2017

Settlement Website

www.BarnesSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Barnes, et al. v. River North Foods Inc.
c/o Heffler Claims Group
P.O. Box 59543
Philadelphia, PA 19102-9543
1-800-481-7947

Class Counsel

David C. Nelson
NELSON & NELSON ATTORNEYS AT LAW PC

Matthew H. Armstrong
ARMSTRONG LAW FIRM LLC

Stuart Cochran
STECKLER GRESHAM COCHRAN PLLC

Defense Counsel

John P. Cunningham
BROWN & JAMES PC

Judy Ockenfuss
ICE MILLER LLP