Country Crock plant butter with ‘olive oil’ isn’t what it seems, class action says

Country Crock plant butter class action overview:

• Who: Two customers, plaintiffs Syvonne Burgie and Edrie Schade, have filed a class action lawsuit against Upfield US Inc.
• Why: Burgie and Schade claim the company misleads consumers into believing its Country Crock Plant Butter contains mostly olive oil.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California state court.

Consumers claim the company behind Country Crock Plant Butter misleads them into believing the product is largely made of olive oil.

Plaintiffs Syvonne Burgie and Edrie Schade filed a class action lawsuit against Upfield US Inc. on Aug. 26 in California state court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

According to the Country Crock class action lawsuit, more consumers are turning to plant-based products for their perceived health benefits. 

The company’s plant butter, marketed under the Country Crock brand, is advertised as being made with olive oil, a popular ingredient known for its health benefits. 

However, Burgie and Schade allege the product contains only a negligible amount of olive oil, misleading consumers who are willing to pay a premium for what they believe is a healthier alternative to traditional butter or margarine. 

“Plaintiffs expected the Product to have a predominant or significant amount of olive oil, compared to other vegetable oils used,” the lawsuit says.

Country Crock plant butter contains mostly cheaper vegetable oils, class action says

Burgie and Schade claim the product’s packaging prominently features images of olives and olive leaves, along with statements like “Made With Olive Oil” and “With Olive Oil.” 

However, the Country Crock class action lawsuit alleges the product is primarily made from traditional vegetable oils like palm, soybean and canola oil, with olive oil listed as one of the last ingredients.

Burgie and Schade argue consumers are willing to pay more for products containing olive oil, believing them to be a healthier choice. 

However, the plaintiffs claim that Country Crock’s Plant Butter is essentially a margarine with a small amount of olive oil, misleading consumers into paying a premium for a product that doesn’t deliver on its promises.

Burgie and Schade want to represent anyone who purchased Country Crock Plant Butter in California. They are suing for violations of state consumer laws and seek certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

Similar class action allegations have been filed against Country Crock in the past for its avocado plant butter and also its almond oil butter.

What do you think of the allegations made in this Country Crock class action? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Kyle Gurwell of 360 Consumer Law.

The Country Crock class action is Burgie, et al. v. Upfield US Inc., Case No. 3:24-cv-07556-TSH, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of San Francisco.

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