Campbell Soup faces class action for misleading ‘natural’ labeling on V8 Energy products

Campbell class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Jeremy Reich filed a class action lawsuit against Campbell Soup Company.
• Why: Reich claims Campbell falsely advertises its V8 Energy drinks.
• Where: The Campbell class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Campbell Soup Company falsely advertises its V8 Energy drinks as being naturally flavored and plant-based.

Plaintiff Jeremy Reich filed the class action complaint against Campbell Soup Company on Sept. 8 in California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the lawsuit, Campbell markets its V8 Energy Plus Energy Drinks as being a “naturally flavored plant-based drink.”

However, Reich claims the V8 Energy drinks contain multiple synthetic additives, including ascorbic acid, citric acid, malic acid, sucralose, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride and cyanocobalamin.

Reich alleges that the inclusion of these synthetic ingredients renders Campbell’s front-label claims that the V8 Energy drinks are “naturally flavored” and “plant-based” false and misleading.

Campbell uses synthetic ingredients in V8 Energy drinks, lawsuit alleges

Reich claims Campbell’s V8 Energy drinks are not truly plant-based because they contain synthetic and highly processed ingredients.

The lawsuit argues that the term “plant-based” is misleading to consumers who reasonably believe that such a label means the product only contains water or plant ingredients that have not undergone substantial processing.

Reich’s lawsuit also points out that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has guidelines to help companies avoid making misleading and deceptive “plant-based” claims.

The lawsuit alleges Campbell ignored these guidelines and used artificial, synthetic or substantially processed ingredients in its V8 Energy drinks.

Reich claims Campbell’s labeling and advertising practices are misleading to consumers, who may believe they are purchasing a natural and plant-based product when, in fact, the drinks contain synthetic ingredients.

Reich also alleges that Campbell failed to disclose the artificial ingredients clearly on the front label, which is what most consumers rely on when making purchasing decisions.

He is looking to represent anyone in the United States who purchased Campbell’s V8 Energy drinks primarily for consumption. He is suing for violations of California’s consumer protection laws and for breach of express warranty and is seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

In 2024, Campbell faced a class action lawsuit accusing the company of falsely advertising its V8 Splash beverages as naturally flavored and healthy for children, even though they are made almost entirely of water and high fructose corn syrup.

What do you think of the claims made in this Campbell class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.

Reich is represented by Adrian Gucovschi and Nathaniel Haim Sari of Gucovschi Rozenshteyn PLLC.

The Campbell class action lawsuit is Reich v. Campbell Soup Company, Case No. 2:25-cv-08501, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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