Olive Oil False Advertising Lawsuit Filed Against Makers of Bertolli

Olive oil false advertising is the topic of a lawsuit filed against the manufacturers of Bertolli olive oil.

The plaintiff raises allegations that certain Bertolli products are falsely labeled as “Imported from Italy” and that they contain “extra virgin” olive oil. This purported olive oil false advertising has gotten a lot of attention from discerning olive oil buyers.

Extra virgin olive oil is most expensive type of olive oil on the market because it is of the highest quality and care is supposedly taken to ensure that quality is retained until the consumer buys and uses it.

To be considered extra virgin, the product must be free of defects, taste like fresh olives, and be produced without the use of solvents. Extra virgin olive oil must be manufactured by mechanical means and under temperatures that will not lead to degradation of the oil.

Consumers who pay a premium for extra virgin olive oil expect the manufacturer to be honest about the product’s quality.

Olive Oil False Advertising Lawsuit Cites Discrepancies

Bertolli’s parent companies Deoleo USA Inc. and Med Foods Inc. declare these certain olive oils are imported from Italy. In reality, according to the plaintiff, the olives are grown and the oil is pressed in many other countries, including Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Chile, and Australia.

The olive oil false advertising complaint says the oils in question are merely blended and bottled in Italy.

“(S)tate and federal regulations forbid affixing the ‘Imported from Italy’ label to products that are merely blended or packaged in that country. Common sense also dictates that Turkish or Chilean olive oil does not somehow become ‘from Italy’ when shipped to Italy. Yet until after this case was filed Deoleo systematically used this misrepresentation to dupe consumers into paying a premium for oil falsely labeled as Italian,” accuses the olive oil false advertising lawsuit.

The suspect Bertolli olive oils allegedly are not “extra virgin” quality as claimed. The oils allegedly are mixed with refined oil that ruins any authentic extra virgin rating.

Bottling makes a difference in determining the quality of extra virgin olive oil. The plaintiff says these Bertolli olive oils are sold in clear bottles that do not protect the product from sunlight and heat. Extra virgin olive oil will degrade when it is exposed to heat and sunlight, disqualifying it of the “extra virgin” designation.

The olive oil false advertising lawsuit alleges the manufacturers had to have known the poor quality bottles would allow the oil to degrade during shipping and while sitting on retail shelves.

If you bought Bertolli Classico Olive Oil, Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Bertolli Extra Light Olive Oil because the labels led you to believe it was truly from Italy or contained “extra virgin” olive oil, you could qualify to participate in an ongoing Bertolli class action investigation.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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