Good Health Veggie Straws Class Action Says Ingredient List is Misleading

A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit regarding Good Health Veggie Straws alleging that the “healthy” snack portrays false nutrition information on the label.

Before Jan. 1, 2017, Good Health Veggie Straws were allegedly produced with a propriety processing method which infused the snacks with a nutrient vegetable blend.

The snacks used an accurate nutrient label and ingredient list based on the processing method used, according to plaintiff David Feldman.

These products were labeled with “Extra Goodness!” promotions. The Extra Goodness! Good Health Veggie Straws were allegedly promoted as containing vitamin equivalents of 2.5 cups of broccoli, 3.5 beets, 5 tomatoes, 7 cups of spinach, and 2 carrots per serving.

According to the Good Health Veggie Straws class action lawsuit, in December 2016, Good Health ceased to use this method but continued to use the same nutrient label and ingredient list. Feldman argues that using the old nutrient label portrays false information to consumers about the nutrients and benefits of their snacks.

For example, the old ingredient list contains that following information: “Nutrients From A Proprietary Blend Of Vegetables (Spinach, Broccoli, Carrot, Tomato, Beet, Shiitake Mushroom).”

However, with the alleged change in processing method, the Good Health Veggie Straws do not contain this nutrient blend. The vitamins in the Good Health Veggie Straws are now “from a synthetic source and are not vegetable-derived,” Feldman argues.

The Good Health Veggie Straws class action lawsuit also claims that the choice to use the old nutrient label was a calculated decision intended to secure profits.

Modern consumers are increasingly health conscious and seek out healthy foods and snacks. The old nutrient label is allegedly more attractive to consumers than a synthetic blend of nutrients. By continuing to use this old label, Good Health Veggie Straws can allegedly be sold at a higher price due to the impression of naturally derived vegetable nutrients.

“Defendant’s Products are promoted as a healthful snack alternative, when in fact the Products lack significant amounts of real vegetables, contain no dietary fiber, and contain a significant amount of vitamins only due to improper fortification,” the Good Health veggie straws class action states. “Thus, stating that the Products have vegetable-derived nutrients and representing that they are beneficial to consumers’ health is misleading and deceptive.”

The plaintiff claims that the misleading label is a violation of federal regulations, including the Food Drug & Cosmetic Act (FDCA). The FDCA reportedly classifies a food as “misbranded” if “its labeling is false or misleading.”

Feldman seeks to represent all consumers in the United States who purchased Good Health Veggie Straws since Jan. 1, 2017. The Good Health Veggie Straws class action lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, treble damages, punitive damages, restitution, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The plaintiff is represented by Joshua S. Bauchner and Michael H. Ansell of Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC.

The Good Health Veggie Straws Class Action Lawsuit is Feldman v. UTZ Quality Foods LLC, et al., Case No. 1:18-cv-06004-RA, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.