Cholula class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff LaTonya Wright filed a class action lawsuit against McCormick & Company Inc.
- Why: Wright claims McCormick falsely advertises its Cholula Original Hot Sauce as being made from a generations-old family recipe.
- Where: The McCormick class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.
A new class action lawsuit alleges McCormick & Company falsely advertises its Cholula Original Hot Sauce as being made from a generations-old family recipe.
Plaintiff LaTonya Wright claims McCormick’s Cholula hot sauce, rather than being made from a generations-old family recipe as advertised, is actually produced using “cheaper, less traditional ingredients.”
“[McCormick] is capitalizing on the goodwill from the product’s authenticity and historic recipe, as well as decades of ubiquitous marketing, while quietly reformulating the product with cheaper, less traditional ingredients,” the Cholula class action lawsuit says.
Wright wants to represent a New York class of consumers who purchased the Cholula Original Hot Sauce during the statute of limitations.
McCormick allegedly changed hot sauce recipe after acquiring Cholula brand
Wright argues McCormick added acetic acid and “natural flavor” to the recipe for Cholula hot sauce after acquiring the brand in 2020.
Cholula hot sauce was originally made with water, arbol and piquin peppers, salt, vinegar, garlic powder, spices and xanthan gum, the Cholula class action lawsuit claims.
Wright claims McCormick also increased the ratio of xanthan gum and removed statements on its website that the product is imported from Mexico.
“Most reasonable consumers do not read the fine-print ingredients list or compare the ingredients on new bottles versus old bottles,” the Cholula class action lawsuit says.
Wright claims McCormick is guilty of violating New York General Business Law. She demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of statutory damages for herself and all class members.
In July, a consumer sued The Kroger Co. for falsely advertising that its Simple Truth Fruit & Grains Bars contained no preservatives.
Have you ever purchased Cholula Original Hot Sauce? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Sue J. Nam and Kate J. Stoia of Reese LLP and Kevin Laukaitis of Laukaitis Law LLC.
The Cholula class action lawsuit is Wright v. McCormick & Company Inc., Case No. 1:26-cv-04870, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
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One thought on Cholula class action alleges hot sauce falsely marketed as ‘original’ recipe
Yes, I’ve purchased many bottles