Trader Joe’s class action claims grocer falsely advertises bagels as gluten-free

Trader Joe’s gluten-free class action overview: 

• Who: A Los Angeles woman sued Trader Joe’s. 
• Why: The plaintiff says the company sells a gluten-free bagel that isn’t actually gluten-free, according to lab testing. 
• Where: The Trader Joe’s gluten-free class action was filed in a California federal court. 

A new class action lawsuit claims Trader Joe’s sells a gluten-free bagel that isn’t actually gluten-free.

Plaintiff Shaianne Starks filed the lawsuit against Trader Joe’s Co. June 28 in a California federal court, alleging violations of false advertising laws. 

According to the class action lawsuit, Trader Joe’s sells Almost Everything Bagels in a bag with the words gluten-free prominently displayed on the packaging on a large, red background. However, the lawsuit alleges the bagels are not actually gluten-free.

Bagels tested positive for gluten, Trader Joe’s class action says

The group MomsAcrossAmerica.com revealed the alleged information about the bagels, according to the lawsuit. It claims the group seeks independent test results and information to help mothers to identify the contents of health and nutrition products, which it then publishes online. 

The class action lawsuit says MomsAcrossAmerica.com published test results from the Health Research Institute, an allegedly reputable testing company, regarding various gluten-free products.  

“The scientifically validated test results revealed that the [Trader Joe’s bagels] contain 269.8 ppm of gluten,” the lawsuit claims. 

It alleges this is 13 times the governmental limits and nearly 27 times the Gluten-Free Certification Organization limits. 

Starks said she wouldn’t have bought the bagels if she knew they contained gluten, according to the Trader Joe’s class action. As a result, she claims she lost money due to the alleged false advertising.  

Starks wants to represent anyone who bought the alleged gluten-free bagels in the United States. She’s suing for violations of California consumer laws and breach of warranty and is seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

The class action lawsuit also seeks a court order that would force Trader Joe’s to stop advertising the bread as gluten-free and run a corrective advertising campaign. 

In April, Trader Joe’s initiated a recall of its Infinite Herbs Organic Basil over concerns the product may have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. The Health Research Institute involves Infinite Herbs Organic Basil that came in 2.5-ounce packaging and was sold at Trader Joe’s stores in 29 U.S. states and the District of Columbia between Feb. 1-April 6, 2024. 

What do you think of the allegations in the Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagels lawsuit? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiff is represented by Michael T. Houchin, Craig W. Straub and Kurt D. Kessler of Crosner Legal P.C. 

The Trader Joe’s gluten-free bagels class action lawsuit is Shaianne Starks v. Trader Joe’s Company, Case No. 2:24-cv-05543, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. 

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