Counting macros? Popular protein products face class action lawsuits over misleading nutrition labels

Protein class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against PEScience, Huel and Bhu Foods, while complaints filed against Nature’s Path and PepsiCo survived dismissal.
• Why: The cases revolve around allegations of inaccurate protein content labels. 
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in United States courts.

---

Think you’re hitting your macros? You might be getting short-changed. A growing wave of class action lawsuits is calling out major protein brands for allegedly misleading consumers about the actual protein content in their products. From bars to powders to cookies, products marketed as high-protein may not be delivering the nutritional punch they promise on the label.

For fitness enthusiasts, dieters, and anyone trying to stay on top of their nutritional goals, these allegations raise serious concerns. When you’re counting every gram, inaccurate labeling doesn’t just mess with your macros — it could mean you’re paying premium prices for less than you bargained for. Here’s a closer look at the brands under fire and what these lawsuits could mean for your favorite protein-packed snacks.

PEScience misleads consumers about protein content in vegan protein powder, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against PEScience last month over claims the sports nutrition company misleads consumers about the protein content of its Select Vegan Plant Protein Powder.

The class action lawsuit argues the front label of the Select Vegan Plant Protein Powder says it contains 20 grams of protein per serving when, in reality, the actual protein levels available to support human nutritional requirements is less than that. 

“Ensuring that she eats at least the Recommended Daily Value of protein—and more generally that she is able to accurately track her protein intake—is important to (plaintiff),” the PEScience Select vegan protein class action says. 

The consumer wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased PEScience Select Vegan Plant Protein Powder in California within the past four years.

Huel misrepresents amount of protein in vegan protein powder, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Huel last month over claims the vegan meal and supplement company misrepresents the amount of protein in its Black Edition Vegan Protein Powder.

The class action lawsuit argues the front of the vegan protein powder contains labeling which misrepresents the percentage of the recommended daily value of protein found in each serving.

Huel is also alleged to have failed to disclose that the protein in the Black Edition Vegan Protein Powder is of low quality and not fully bioavailable to consumers due to it containing pea and rice protein as its sole protein sources.

The consumer wants to represent a California class of consumers who purchased the Black Edition Vegan Protein Powder within the last four years. 

Class action claims Bhu Foods falsely advertises protein value in protein cookies

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Bhu Foods last month over claims the company falsely advertises the protein value of its cookies. 

The class action lawsuit argues Bhu Foods — which makes healthy, organic and plant-based snacks and treats — advertises its double dark chocolate and chocolate chip-flavored protein cookies as containing more protein than they really do. 

The consumer claims Bhu Foods misleads consumers with labeling that falsely indicates the protein cookies contain fully bioavailable and high quality protein when, in reality, they actually are made with low-quality proteins with poor bioavailability. 

The consumer wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers who bought Bhu Foods’ protein cookies during the applicable statute of limitations period.

Claims that Nature’s Path misleads consumers about protein content survive dismissal

A California federal judge declined last month to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed against Nature’s Path over claims the organic food company misleads consumers about the protein content of its products. 

The judge determined the class action lawsuit made plausible claims that Nature’s Path had misled consumers. 

The class action lawsuit argues Nature’s Path failed to include the correct amount of protein per serving for its products, given the company did not take into account that not all of the protein in the products could be used by the human body. 

Nature’s Path, in its motion to dismiss, unsuccessfully argued the claims were preempted by U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. 

Claims PepsiCo misled consumers about Gatorade protein bars partially dismissed

A California federal judge partially dismissed last month an amended class action lawsuit filed against PepsiCo over claims the company misled consumers about the sugar and protein content in its Gatorade protein bars.

The judge ruled the group of consumers behind the complaint lack standing to seek injunctive relief and monetary relief but plausibly alleged claims of consumer deception. 

The class action lawsuit argues PepsiCo advertised and labeled its Gatorade protein bars in a way that deceived consumers about their actual sugar and protein content. 

PepsiCo, in its motion to dismiss, unsuccessfully argued the claims were preempted under the “unlawful” and “unfair” prongs of California’s Unfair Competition Law. 

Have you ever purchased a protein product that was falsely advertised? Let us know in the comments.

---

---

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Living Proof Haircare Quiz illegally collects customer biometrics, class action lawsuit claims
• JonnyPops false advertising class action moves forward over ‘100% real fruit’ claims
• Class action lawsuit claims LensCrafters uses fake discounts on prescription lenses
• Frito-Lay recalls Tostitos chips over undeclared allergen