Splenda class action lawsuit overview:ย
- Who: A federal judge in California denied a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed against the makers of Splenda, TC Heartland LLC.ย
- Why: The judge determined consumers have standing for claims TC Heartland falsely advertised Splenda as a sugar alternative with health benefits.ย
- Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.ย
A California federal judge denied a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed against the maker of Splenda over claims their sugar alternative product was falsely advertised as having health benefits.ย
The class action lawsuit claims TC Heartland LLC engaged in consumer fraud by marketing Splenda as having health benefits. However, the sugar alternative allegedly uses sucralose as a primary ingredient. Sucralose is a chemical the class action argues is harmful to diabetics.ย
TC Heartland, meanwhile, argued, among other things, that the claims were preempted by the FDAโs determination โregarding the safety of sucralose.โ Furthermore, they state the lawsuit relies on a โcherry-pickedโ collection of studies that donโt actually support the claim sucralose is unsafe.ย
The judge determined, however that the claims made under state laws were not preempted by federal law.ย
In an order denying the motion to dismiss, the judge said, โThe Court agrees with plaintiffs that the FDA regulations cited by TC Heartland do not preempt plaintiffsโ state law claims.โย
Splenda purchasers have standing to bring claims, judge rules
The class action lawsuit was filed last year by a single plaintiff with type 2 diabetes. Law 360 reports that It was later amended to add three California residents, including another with type 2 diabetes, one who is pre-diabetic and one without diabetes.ย
TC Heartland argued none of the plaintiffs had standing to bring the claims since they werenโt physically harmed. However, the judge ruled they had standing since they claimed they would have paid less for the Splenda or not purchased it at allย
The judge stated, โPlaintiffs here have adequately alleged an economic injury and have Article III standing to assert their claims.โ
A consumer filed a separate class action lawsuit against TC Heartland in April over claims the company falsely labeled its Splenda Naturals Stevia Zero Calorie Sweetener product as โ100% natural.โย
Have you purchased Splenda artificial sweetener? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Bahar Sodaify, Shireen M. Clarkson, Alan Gudino and Ryan Ardi of Clarkson Law Firm PC.
The Splenda class action lawsuit is Prescott, et al. v. TC Heartland, LLC, Case No. 5:23-cv-04192, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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648 thoughts onSplenda โdiabetesโ class action moves forward over false ad claims
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Iโve been a type one diabetic for 26 years (since age 12). I started out using equal not as an alternative because I have to use a sugar substitute if I want to โsweetenโ anything. Splenda came on the scene and thatโs all Iโve been using ever since. It was more expensive than any other sweetener that I used, but the after taste didnโt taste as bad. Not knowing that the whole time I shouldโve not been using it at all. While other people can gripe and moan about a โsubstituteโ or โalternativeโ, when itโs my only option.
We have and still using Splenda for year.go figure ,natural?
Using this for years
I am Type 2 Diabetes for over 8 years. Splenda is the only sweetener I use. Please add me .
Add me please
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I am type 2 diabetic. I accepted that I should pay more for a sugar substitute that was also healthy for me even when I could have used a cheaper alternative. I even started buying Splenda in the large bags to use in my slushie machine as a sugar free and healthier alternative to Slurpees and Icees. I now look back on all the extra money that I was spending to try and be healthier while indulging in my secret obsession, slushies!
Add me please. I currently have Splenda in my kitchen.
Iโve been buying Spenda for years based on thinking it was a healthier alternative, to the pink or the blue sweeteners. I currently have a huge box in my cupboard. Apparently weโve all been mislead. Please add me.
use splendor for years. developed diabetes
Add me please. I have used this sugar in the past