Milk-Bone class action overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Melissa Burkett filed a class action lawsuit against Big Heart Pet Brands Inc.
- Why: Burkett claims Big Heart Pet Brands falsely advertises its Milk-Bone Dipped dog treats as being free from artificial preservatives.
- Where: The Milk-Bone class action lawsuit was filed in California state court.
A new class action lawsuit claims Big Heart Pet Brands falsely advertises its Milk-Bone Dipped dog biscuits as containing “no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors,” even though they contain manufactured citric acid, an artificial preservative.
Plaintiff Melissa Burkett filed the Milk-Bone class action complaint against Big Heart Pet Brands on July 2 in California Superior Court, alleging violations of state consumer laws.
According to the class action lawsuit, the packaging for Milk-Bone Dipped Biscuits prominently displays the claim that the products contain “no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.”
However, Burkett says the dog treats actually contain manufactured citric acid, which is used as a preservative.
Burkett alleges that this misrepresentation is intended to give consumers the impression that they are buying a premium product for their pets.
Artificial citric acid involves genetic modification and chemical solvents, Milk-Bone lawsuit claims
Burkett states that the citric acid used in Milk-Bone products is not natural but rather a synthetic form derived from heavy industrial processing.
The class action lawsuit alleges that this form of citric acid is manufactured using a type of black mold called Aspergillus niger, which has been genetically modified to enhance citric acid production.
Burkett’s complaint includes detailed scientific explanations of how this citric acid is produced, arguing that the process is artificial and involves genetic modification and chemical solvents.
The Milk-Bone class action lawsuit also cites various studies and expert opinions to support the claim that manufactured citric acid is not natural and can cause adverse health effects in dogs, such as digestive upset and allergic reactions.
Burkett seeks to represent a class of all consumers who purchased the Milk-Bone Dipped products in California. She is suing for violations of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law and breach of express warranty.
Burkett is seeking certification of the Milk-Bone class action lawsuit, damages, restitution and an injunction to prevent Big Heart Pet Brands from continuing to market the Milk-Bone Dipped products as free from artificial preservatives.
In a string of similar lawsuits now targeting pet food manufacturers, pet owners have accused Post Consumer Brands of falsely advertising Rachael Ray pet food products as containing no artificial preservatives.
What do you think of the allegations made in this Milk-Bone class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
Burkett is represented by Craig W. Straub and Kurt D. Kessler of Crosner Legal P.C.
The Milk-Bone class action lawsuit is Burkett v. Big Heart Pet Brands Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-07147, in the Superior Court of the State of California, Los Angeles County.
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37 thoughts onMilk-Bone dog biscuits contain synthetic preservatives despite ‘no artificial’ labeling, class action says
I noticed very visible lumps growing on Daisy’s side and stomach. I started looking up Milk Bone Dog Treats which she has had for a couple months now. I have 2 boxes left but no way to return them to Walmart. I am 73 and disabled and I can’t get there. I received products from Walmart delivered by FedEx to my home. Daisy is 10 years old and just started having Milk Bone Dog Treats within the past year, and if I try to join a Class Action Lawsuit they will just say that she is ten years old and lots of older dogs get lumps. The Court system in California is totally corrupt. I filed a case many long years ago for being injured with explosives on a movie set and the attorneys lied and said they were harmless special effects. I took a law course at UCLA and a home correspondence paralegal course and I filed a complaint all by myself against State OSHA to bring in Federal OSHA and I got the Material Safety Data Hazard Sheets proving they injured me with Lead Azide, Lead Styphnate and PETN, all three federally regulated toxic hazardous substances. Right when I should have won, my case was dismissed and denied. Years later I found out the U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont had been taking political campaign donations from the attorneys for the movie industry.
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My dog was 6 weeks old when I got him. He was mix breed, Alaskan Malamute, German Rottweiler, he was the most gentle, loyal, most health dependable pet I have ever known. Chip [Chocolate Chip, named by his first best friend whom I would love to thank once again for allowing me to Adopt Chip. We had to have him put to sleep at 14 years and 9 months old only because we decided not to put him thru any surgeries that would have been devastating to him , to not allow him to run, jump and play. Chip was 142lbs, truly only about 10 pounds over but that’s not here nor there . I’m getting choked up 15 yrs later stil. From the day I got home with him until his dying day, he only got two brands of dog food and his treats 95% of his almost 15 years, one sec doing thr math on my toes and fingers 👉 👈 yep that’s is 2.918 to the 16th degree of the… got that so far?? Stalling till you catch up.. HE LOVED HIS MILK BONE AND ALL THE OTHER MILK BONE GOODIES, FOR CATS AND DOGS WE ENDED UP FOSTERING ONWARDS OF 20+ CATS AND DOGS, SEVERAL Birds, parrots, chickens, ferrets, rabbits, fish, reptiles….So sorry about this, but honestly you decided at end what you think. I am going to tell you the true and the details, you make your own mind up yourself, or if you want I’ll even give you 40/22 odds lol
VET ,Amazing man who actually normally treated horses but chip 15 pounds more then myself at precise moment. His hip joint popped our thus surgery options spoke about earlier but dog again agreed this was not options. Pain wne then….. any ways, Chipotle Chip, ate his weight on Treats weekly, had amazing health… His heart, lungs, bones, mental health and his skin coat and teeth at 15 lbs over weight at his final days, loved and lived for his Milk Bone Treats. THANK YOU Andrea, Sara, along with Alicia and rest of Chips Vermont Mountain climbing, cliff hopping ,MY EXTREME CLIFF FALLING [Or typically i was praying or stuck from fear or heights ] Chip went spelunking or cave exploring, white water rafting, ice fishing and that was last week in Vermont. So for Complete, and transparent honesty, Buffalo (less then year maybe] and Purina thru all stages of his weight, and some sensitivities. VET was right on border Winooski and Cholchester across from Libbys dinner , from 2000 to 2005next to bowling i think down there .Rest was here i South Florida , again without permission would keep names limited, but3 vets said n9t change anything, except wish still had him Chip not anything else from that time. A WINK IN THERE!LOVED EVER PART OF IT! STILL TO THIS DAY WILL STUCK WITH THE COMPANY NOT FIXING THE BAD, HIDING OR MISLEADING CHEMICALS. Milk Bone Treats , heck if you pet me babysit i would feed your kids them. That’s how much I believe in them being safe! Wishing I had glass of milk and one right now!
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