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
Please add me to the list, I purchased Splenda for my mom when we thought it was okay.
I am Type 2 Diabetic and have used Splenda since it came on the market. I trusted what they said in that it is better for you!
Please count me in!
Please add me.
I am diabetic for years now and have been using Splenda since it came on the market. Told it was good to use. Please add me to the Lawsuit
I have used Splenda for a long time, and I use it constantly now because Iโve recently been diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I want to be added to this, if possible.
Please add me. I am a longtime user and I was under the impression that as advertised, Splenda is a healthy alternative to sugar.
Please add me! Iโm a type 2 diabetic and use nothing but Splenda, and have been for many years now. At least 10 years now, since I became diabetic.
I have used this since 2000 thatโs the only sugar in my home please count me in for the last 6 years I noticed when I pour the sugar into a container the fumes from the Splenda actually makes me choke I know the ingredients had been tampered with
Count me in. I started using Splenda when I was told I was pre-diabetic hoping it would help.
Been using this for years. Add me
Please add me.