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A class action lawsuit has been filed against the snack company Snyder’s-Lance Inc. for allegedly labeling its pretzel and chip snacks “all natural” when they’re allegedly made with artificial colors and genetically modified ingredients.
It is a multi-state class action lawsuit filed by residents from Florida, New York and California. The plaintiffs are Todd Barron and Adele Ferrera of Florida, Matthew McDonough of New York and David Korn of California.
The plaintiffs claim that from Nov. 13, 2009, through the present day, Snyder’s deceptively marketed some of its snack products as “all natural” when they allegedly contain “unnatural genetically-modified organisms (“GMOs”) and, in many cases, other unnatural artificial and synthetic ingredients,” the class action lawsuit says.
The products at issue in the class action lawsuit include several of kinds of Snyder’s pretzels and snacks, reduced fat tortilla chips, Cape Cod Chips, EatSmart Snacks and Padrinos Chips.
The products allegedly come with labels that claim the snack foods are made with ingredients that are “All Natural,” “natural” and/or “naturals.”
“Specifically, all of the Products contain unnatural, genetically-modified ingredients, and may of the Products also contain unnatural artificial, synthetic, and highly processed ingredients,” the Snyder’s class action lawsuit claims. “Snyder’s Snacks contain either genetically-modified canola oil or genetically-modified corn.”
The plaintiffs also include a list of synthetic ingredients in the Snyder’s Snacks such as maltodextrin, niacin, reduced iron, dextrose, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin and folic acid.
The California, Florida and New York residents claim that it is because of these ingredients that the words “all natural” are deceptive.
“The defendant misleads and deceives reasonable consumers, including the named plaintiffs and the other members of the classes by portraying products containing non-natural, genetically modified ingredients and other non-natural artificial and synthetic ingredients as ‘All Natural,’ ‘natural’ and/or ‘naturals,'” the plaintiffs say.
The plaintiffs cite false advertising and intentional misrepresentation violations of Florida law and are seeking injunctive relief as well as unspecified damages.
In July, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in California asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its input on whether foods that contain genetically modified ingredients can be labeled and marketed as “all natural.” Rogers decided to stay the lawsuit for six months, while the court waits for the FDA to offer an opinion.
Since the judge’s request, “all natural” deceptive marketing lawsuits have been on the rise.
Similar to this case, that lawsuit charged Gruma Corp. with deceptive marketing by labeling its Mission Restaurant Style tortilla chips “all natural” even though they are made with genetically modified corn.
The California federal court has become a popular venue for “all natural” labeling lawsuits, charging companies with violating consumer protection laws.
The plaintiffs in the Snyder’s lawsuit are represented by the Law Offices of Howard W. Rubinstein PA.
The Snyder’s Snacks Class Action Lawsuit is Barron, et al. v. Snyder’s-Lance Inc., Case No. 0:13-cv-62496, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
UPDATE: Snyder-Lance motioned to dismiss the “all natural” class action lawsuit on March 10, 2014, arguing that plaintiffs were not injured.
UPDATE 2: On Mar. 11, 2016, the Snyder’s snacks “all natural” class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim or visit www.snackfoodsettlement.com.
UPDATE 3: On Nov. 19, 2016, Top Class Actions readers who submitted timely and valid claims for the Snyder’s settlement started receiving checks worth as much as $10. Congratulations to everyone who got PAID!
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22 thoughts onSnyder’s Snacks Aren’t ‘All Natural,’ Class Action Lawsuit Says
Received check today for $ 10
UPDATE 2: On Mar. 11, 2016, the Snyder’s snacks “all natural” class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a claim or visit http://www.snackfoodsettlement.com.
I am so totally disappointed in the Snyder’s pretzel especially, because i have always considered it the most natural snack in any vending machine at work and in hospitals, and in places where vending machines can sell them.
I always get them when i’m hungry and need something that is not full of sugar and perservatives, but this is just one more disappointment, and a waste of money thought to be used on fast natural snack. I am trying to maintain good health, but the snack makers should be careful not to cause health risk for people with health concerns.
Please contact me at my email address to be included in this lawsuite….I have people eating this snack because i told them it was the most nutritious item to snack on when you forget lunch, or out running errands. The Mini Petzels
I’ve purchased many bags of these items and cape cod chips, too.
Hanovers
Why isn’t Georgia included in lawsuit? I buy plenty Snyder’s
of Hanover,Cape Cod Chips
Why isn’t Rhode Island included in this suit? We buy plenty of Cape Cod Chips and Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels here? I stopped buying them as soon as we discovered the GMO deception. Too bad, they were snacks of choice in my home.
#12 hello i have bought many many bags of snyder snacks. i am very interested in getting in this class action.
Thank You
Coquese Green
Hello i am interested in joining snyder snacks class action.
I have bought these item several times over the years. Even though I do like their flavor it is disappointing to find out that they have lied about their products. They must really not be happy with it themselves. I guess this is what they mean by false advertising. So disappointing especially in today’s time. Makes it even harder to teach the kids of today that you have to be honest in all your business endeavors. But, besides getting our money back from the company. Maybe the smart parents can turn this into a learning opportunity for their families.
Although, I don’t that I would trust this company again; not sure if I will purchase again or not depends on if they straighten up their act and STOP LIEING to themselves and especially the public. As we are the one supporting their company. Without us they would not exist. Nor would their employees have a job!!