Enfamil Class Action Says Formula Falsely Advertised as ‘Milk-Based’

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Enfamil Class Action Lawsuit Overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Cecilia Martinez filed a class action lawsuit alleging Mead Johnson & Company LLC deceptively markets its Enfamil formula as “milk-based.”
• Why: The Enfamil formula’s primary ingredient is actually sugar, according to the false advertising class action lawsuit.
• Where: The Enfamil class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

Mead Johnson & Company LLC deceptively markets Enfamil formula as “milk-based” even though the primary ingredient is a form of sugar, according to a class action lawsuit filed Feb. 2 in California federal court.

Plaintiff Cecilia Martinez says she purchased Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease products because she believed the products were milk-based. When choosing to purchase the product, she relied on the “milk-based” representation on the front of the packaging.

However, the primary ingredient in the Enfamil products is allegedly corn syrup solids, or dried corn syrup, which is a form of sugar, the lawsuit alleges.

“In fact, an infant consuming 28 oz. of Defendant’s formula is consuming 56 grams of corn syrup solids every day, which is more than the amount of corn syrup in 16 oz. of Coca-Cola,” the Enfamil class action lawsuit alleges.

Had she known the main ingredient in Enfamil formula was sugar and not milk, she would have paid significantly less for the products or would not have purchased them at all.

The products named in the Enfamil class action lawsuit include:

• Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula Tubs
• Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula Super-Saver Refill Packs
• Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula Sticks
• Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease Infant Formula Ready To Use Liquid
• Enfamil Gentlease infant Formula Cans
• Enfamil Enspire Gentlease Infant Formula Tubs
• Enfamil Enspire Gentlease Infant Formula Super-Saver Refill Packs
• Enfamil NeuroPro Sensitive Infant Formula Tubs
• Enfamil NeuroPro Sensitive Infant Formula Super-Saver Refill Packs

Martinez filed the Enfamil class action lawsuit on behalf of herself and a proposed Class of individuals who purchased the products in California.

Enfamil Knowingly Deceives Consumers, Class Action Lawsuit Claims

Martinez says that the “milk-based powder” representation on the front of the Enfamil packaging leads consumers to reasonably believe that the primary ingredient in the Enfamil products are milk-based. She points to several studies that support the benefits of milk for infants.

According to one study, the lactose in milk-based formula provides health benefits for infants, such as assisting in calcium absorption and feeding good bacteria in the infant’s intestines.

The American Academy of Pediatrics reportedly says that milk-based infant formula is the most appropriate milk feeding for infants up to 12 months old for infants who are not at least partially breastfed.

Sugar, on the other hand, is known to be detrimental to health, according to the Enfamil class action lawsuit. The primary ingredient in many Enfamil products is corn syrup solids, which are reportedly made by removing most of the water from corn syrup. 

Corn syrup is an added sugar that can contribute to obesity and heart disease.

Martinez claims that the defendants knew that consumers would rely on the “milk-based” representations on the products front packaging, and deceptively advertised the Enfamil products that way to deceive consumers into thinking they are purchasing a more premium formula.

The Enfamil class action lawsuit asserts claims for violations of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.

Did you purchase Enfamil products because you believed the products were milk-based? Tell us what you think about this false advertising class action lawsuit in the comments below!

Martinez is represented by Benjamin Heikali, Joshua Nassir, and Ruhandy Glezakos of Faruqi & Faruqi LLP.

The Enfamil Formula Class Action Lawsuit is Cecilia Martinez v. Mead Johnson & Company LLC, Case No. 5:22-cv-00213, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Eastern Division.

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