Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A class action filed against the maker of Zico 100% Coconut Water alleges the product is deceptively labeled with “no sugar added” claims.
The complaint asserts that Zico Beverages LLC markets its coconut water as containing “no sugar added” when in fact “100% coconut water does not normally contain added sugars.”
The Zico coconut water class action lawsuit cites to regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which hold that terms like “without added sugar” and “no sugar added” may only be used if “the food that it resembles and for which it substitutes normally contains added sugars.”
The FDA explains that “no added sugar” labels and advertising may be used to “differentiate between similar foods that would normally be expected to contain added sugars,” but should not be used when the label has no meaning.
The class action notes that over one-third of adults in the U.S. are obese, partly because of higher sugar consumption. The complaint argues that consumers have gotten more conscious of sugar intake, and Zico is trying “to profit from the public’s well-placed increasing focus on sugar consumption” with its misleading advertising.
In addition to violating FDA regulations, the class action asserts that the deceptive advertising also violates California’s Sherman Law (which incorporates Federal food advertising regulations) as well as California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
Plaintiff Jason Reza states that he purchased Zico 100% Coconut Water after seeing the “no sugar added” advertising on the label.
Reza claims that the “No Sugar Added Label caused [him] to believe that the ZICO 100% Coconut Water was naturally sweetened, as opposed to other brands that have added sugar.” Reza would not have bought the coconut water otherwise, according to the complaint.
The class action contends that Zico’s coconut water label is misleading, and will cause consumers to believe that its product contains less sugar than its competitors when, in fact, “other brands of coconut water do not normally have added sugar.”
The deceptive marketing lawsuit requests certification of a Class of “[a]ll California residents who purchased one or more packages of ZICO 100% Coconut Water with a label and/or packaging stating ‘No Sugar Added’ at any time” in the last four year.
The class action is currently seeking an injunction from the court requiring Zico to change its marketing and engage in a corrective advertising campaign. But the complaint also states that “[u]pon Defendants’ failure to rectify or agree to adequately rectify the problems associated with the actions detailed above, Plaintiff will amend the Complaint to additionally seek damages, restitutionary relief, punitive damages,” and other remedies.
Reza is represented by Lee A. Cirsch, Robert K. Friedl, and Trisha K. Monesi of Capstone Law APC.
The Zico Coconut Water “No Sugar Added” Class Action Lawsuit is Jason Reza v. Zico Beverages LLC, et al., Case No. BC647064, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
35 thoughts onZico Coconut Water Class Action Challenges ‘No Sugar Added’ Label
Am i reading this wrong? This drink does not have any sugar. The complaint is that the label reads “no sugar added”, unnecessarily.
Am i to be corrected? The product contains no added sugar. Right?
This is distressing. In a world where nothing is as it seems, we can not even trust our food. 100% coconut water means it’s naturally sweetened by nature. I want IN on this class-action. I purchased Zico brand from Sprouts where I used to purchase and drink Amy and Brian’s coconut water. I complained about that brand because it’s not 100% coconut water!!
I thought I was doing good drinking this. I guess not
This level of deception deserves for this company to go bankrupt! Major lie here, majorly wrong.
Depressing!
I am a diabetic and i look for items that say “sugar free” I have found that no sugar added is not true it raises my sugar so i assumed that sugar free would have no sugar. My brother died of diabetes I do not want to go the same route. This is unfair.
As a diabetic with acute kidney failure, I have been drinking Zico almost everyday! To learn now that it contains added sugar is very distressing! Wondering what my options are.
For me who does a no sugar/carb lifestyle. That was the only reason I purchased this brand….smh
so im getting it as it has no sugar and theres sugar
The only reason why I was buying these because they had no sugar added