Knorr class action claims rice, pasta sides contain artificial flavors

Knorr class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiffs Julia Gibson and Jill Shuler filed a class action lawsuit against Unilever United States Inc.
• Why: Gibson and Shuler claim Unilever falsely advertises that its Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Unilever United States Inc. falsely advertises that its Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.

Plaintiffs Julia Gibson and Jill Shuler argue Unilever’s Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides contain synthetic non-natural flavoring and preservative ingredients, including maltodextrin, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

“Defendant made false and misleading statements by marketing the Products as containing ‘No Artificial Flavors or Preservatives’ when the Products in fact contained both synthetic flavoring and preservative ingredients,” the Knorr sides class action says. 

The plaintiffs want to represent a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides for personal, family or household consumption and not for resale.

Health-conscious consumers targeted by Knorr false advertising, class action claims

Gibson and Shuler argue that Unilever makes the allegedly false claims to capitalize on consumers’ preference for natural foods that do not contain synthetic ingredients.

“Health-conscious consumers are willing to pay a price premium for products labeled and advertised as natural because they believe that such products are safer and/or healthier to consume,” the class action states. 

The lawsuit alleges that Unilever has profited enormously from its false and misleading representations that the Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides contain only natural flavoring and preservative ingredients. 

Gibson and Shuler argue Unilever is guilty of breach of express warranty and violating New York’s General Business Law.  

The plaintiffs demand a jury trial and request injunctive relief and an award of compensatory, statutory and punitive damages for themselves and all class members. 

Unilever recalled three types of Knorr soup mix products in 2023 over concerns they contained undeclared egg. 

Have you purchased the Knorr Rice and Pasta Sides? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Joshua D. Arisohn of Arisohn LLC.

The Knorr sides class action lawsuit is Gibson, et al. v. Unilever United States Inc., Case No. 1:25-cv-01088, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

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