Sun-Maid Vanilla Yogurt Covered Raisins

Kids know to skip the house that gives out raisins on Halloween. That’s because raisins are not candy. Or are they?

A new class-action lawsuit accuses Sun-Maid of marketing its vanilla yogurt covered raisins as a healthy snack when the product is not coated in yogurt but rather with a flavored candy shell like some popular candies such as Raisinets and Tootsie Rolls.

While the product contains yogurt powder as part of its “vanilla yogurt flavored coating,” the lawsuit claims the ingredient “does not offer any of the expected nutritional benefits of bona fide yogurt.”

Rather, yogurt powder is a preservative that is used to extend shelf life in foods such as condiments, dips, and spreads. In essence, it is a flavor supplement and emulsifier, not yogurt.

Moreover, the lawsuit alleges, the yogurt powder in the product does not meet the federal definition of yogurt because it does not contain any live cultures, which are the good bacteria in yogurt known as probiotics.

The complaint was filed in California state court and alleges violations of several state laws. It seeks, among other things, an end to the deceptive practices alleged in the lawsuit, as well as monetary relief in the form of compensatory and punitive damages.

TINA.org reached out to Sun-Maid for comment. Check back for updates.

Find more of our coverage on ingredient claims here.