SmartyPants class action overview:
- Who: Two consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Conopco Inc., doing business as Unilever.
- Why: The plaintiffs claim Unilever falsely advertises the fiber content of its SmartyPants children’s vitamins.
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in New York federal court.
A new class action lawsuit alleges Unilever falsely advertises its SmartyPants children’s vitamins as containing the same fiber content as certain fruits and vegetables.
Plaintiffs Tinamarie Barrales and Latonya Wright filed the SmartyPants class action complaint against Conopco on Dec. 15 in New York federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
According to the lawsuit, Unilever sells two types of SmartyPants children’s vitamins that claim to provide as much fiber as fruits and vegetables.
The Fiber & Veggies vitamins are marketed as containing the same amount of fiber as three cups of kale, four prunes or one cup of broccoli, the class action claims. The Multi & Fiber vitamins are advertised as having the same fiber content as two cups of broccoli, the lawsuit says.
However, the plaintiffs allege that these claims are false and misleading because the vitamins only contain soluble fiber, while fruits and vegetables contain both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Soluble fiber helps slow digestion, decrease cholesterol and lower blood sugar, while insoluble fiber aids bowel movements and prevents constipation, the lawsuit claims.
The plaintiffs argue that Unilever’s children’s vitamins do not offer the same health benefits as fruits and vegetables, which are essential for children’s digestive health.
Children’s vitamins don’t deliver advertised benefits, lawsuit claims
The class action lawsuit claims that Unilever’s false advertising has caused consumers to pay a premium for the SmartyPants children’s vitamins, believing they are getting the equivalent fiber content of fruits and vegetables.
The plaintiffs say they would not have purchased the vitamins or would have paid less for them if they had known the truth.
The lawsuit seeks to represent a nationwide class of all individuals in the United States who purchased the vitamins within the relevant limitations period. It also seeks to represent New York and California subclasses.
The plaintiffs are suing for violations of New York and California consumer protection laws and unjust enrichment. They are seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.
In related news, Balance of Nature has agreed to a $9.95 million settlement to resolve claims it falsely advertised the health benefits of its dietary supplements.
What do you think of the allegations made in this Unilever class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Raphael Janove and Max Ian Fiest of Janove PLLC.
The Smarty Pants class action lawsuit is Barrales, et al. v. Conopco Inc., Case No. 1:25-cv-10390, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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