Country Crock class action alleges Plant Butter’s ‘made with almond oil’ claims misleading

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Country Crock Plant Butter class action:

• Who: A vegetable oil spread consumer sued Upfield over its Country Crock Plant Butter spread with almond oil.
• Why: The plaintiff says the product has a minimal amount of almond oil in it so its marketing is deceptive. 
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in New York district court.

Upfield US Inc. has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging it falsely advertises its Country Crock Plant Butter vegetable oil spread as having more almond oil than it actually does. 

Plaintiff Joanne Reyes filed the class action lawsuit against Upfield US Inc. on Aug. 8 in a New York district court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

Reyes said Upfield makes and markets a vegetable oil spread promoted as “Made With Almond Oil” under the Country Crock brand.

The marketing of the product depicts pictures of freshly picked almonds, an almond flower and almond leaves, as well as the description that the product is made with almond oil, the Country Crock class action says.

These marketing tools cause consumers to expect a significant, non-de minimis amount of almond oil in the product, Reyes alleges.

“However, the ingredient list reveals a negligible amount of almond oil in relative and absolute amounts to all oils used, less than all other oils,” according to the Country Crock class action.

Country Crock class action claims spread has minimal amount of almond oil

On the Country Crock Plant Butter’s ingredient list, the first ingredient is a blend of oils: palm fruit, followed by palm kernel and then canola oil. The fourth and least predominant is almond oil, Reyes claims. 

She adds that the amount of almond oil is also insufficient to confer any of the health benefits associated with almond oil. 

“Defendant sold more of the Product and at higher prices than it would have in the absence of this misconduct, resulting in additional profits at the expense of consumers,” the Country Crock class action states.

Reyes seeks to represent a New York class of consumers who bought the product, plus a class of consumers from Alaska, Maine, New Mexico, North Carolina, Wyoming, Nebraska and Georgia.

She is suing under state consumer laws and for fraud and breach of warranty and seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

Upfield in January was hit with another class action lawsuit alleging it markets its Plant Butter Made With Olive Oil as being a healthy, plant-based alternative to margarine, when really “the differences between the products are minimal.” 

What do you think of the allegations in this Country Crock almond oil class action lawsuit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC.

The Upfield Country Crock class action lawsuit is Joanne Reyes, et al. v. Upfield US Inc., Case No. 7:22-cv-06722, in the U.S District Court Southern District of New York, White Plains Courthouse.

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