Combos Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Snacks
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that the filling in products is made with real cheddar cheese
Chocolate in Starbucks, Mars, and The Quaker Oats Company Products
October 2022: The named plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the dismissal of the claims against Mars and Quaker Oats.
September 2022: The claims against Starbucks were voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled. because the parties reached a settlement agreement.
May 2021: The claims against Mars and Quaker Oats were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The claims against Starbucks remain pending.
February 2020: A class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that Starbucks, Mars Inc., and The Quaker Oats Company misleadingly represent that the cocoa used in chocolate products – including Starbucks hot cocoa mixes, Dove chocolate, and Quaker Chocolate Chip Chewy Bars – has been sourced following ethical and environmentally responsible standards when, according to the complaint, the companies use cocoa that has been harvested using child and slave labor and farming practices that are not sustainable and cause mass deforestation. (Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in August 2020.) (Myers et al v. Starbucks Corp., Mars, Inc., and The Quaker Oats Company, Case No. 20-cv-335, C.D. Cal.)
For more of TINA.org’s coverage of the marketing of chocolate products, click here.
Class-Action Tracker
Starbursts
Allegations: Deceptively using slack-filled packaging that is approximately 55% empty space
Dove Promises Deeper Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain dangerous levels of heavy metals
Combos Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Snacks
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that the filling in snacks is “made with real cheese”
Skittles
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose candies contain a toxin that increases the risk of adverse health effects
Calories in Starburst Gummies Sours
Allegations: Deceptively representing the number of calories in candies
Nutro Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that dog foods do not contain wheat, soy, or chicken when they contain significant amounts of the ingredients
Altoids Cinnamon Mints
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as containing cinnamon
Silky Smooth Dove Bars
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that ice cream bars are covered in milk chocolate when the coating contains ingredients not contained in real chocolate
Dove Chocolate-Covered Mixed Berries
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as “made with real fruit” when the fruit ingredients contain sugar and other non-fruit components
Nutro Limited Ingredient Diets Dog Foods
In May 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars Petcare US, Inc. for allegedly falsely marketing that Nutro Limited Ingredient Diets dog foods – including Adult Lamb & Sweet…
Dove Ice Cream Bars
November 2019: Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint adding the miniature versions of the ice cream bars to the products at issue. May 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars…
M&M’s Reduced Fat Vanilla Ice Cream Products
In November 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars, Inc. for allegedly falsely advertising that its M&M’s brand reduced fat vanilla ice cream products contain vanilla when, according to…
IAMS Dog Foods
In September 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars Petcare for allegedly falsely advertising that IAMS Proactive Health Sensitive Skin & Stomach Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Peas dog…
Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice
January 2018: The appeal was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. October 2017: The named plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal regarding the decision to grant…
Mars Chocolate Products
June 2018: The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s dismissal of this case. (Case No. 16-15444, 9th Cir.) March 2016: The named plaintiff filed a Notice of…
Snickers Protein Bars
In April 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars Wrigley Confectioner for allegedly misleadingly advertising Snickers Protein Bars by misrepresenting the quantity, quality, and nature of the protein in…
Chocolate Products from Mars
In February 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Mars, Inc. for allegedly failing to disclose that the cocoa beans used in chocolate products are the result of child and…
M&M’s Candies, Dove Candy Bars, Snickers Bars, and More
November 2014: This case was voluntarily dismissed, the reasons for which have not been disclosed. The named plaintiff’s individual claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it…
Iams Cat Food
February 2016: A federal judge dismissed this action When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. finding that the company did not have a duty to disclose…
Uncle Ben’s Rice Products
October 2016: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. as to the named plaintiff and When a complaint is dismissed without…
Mars Flavored Ice Cream Products
November 2015: The named plaintiff’s claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed. September 2015:…
Nutro Dog Food Products
August 2016: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement. August 2015: A federal judge preliminarily approved a $500,000 settlement of this lawsuit. According to the settlement terms, class…
Mars Chocolate Candy Products
December 2014: A federal judge granted Mars, Inc.’s motion to stay the proceedings (and administratively closed the case) pending the resolution of an appeal of a district court’s decision to…
M&M’s® Mini Products
October 2016: After the parties informed the court that they reached a settlement, this action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The…
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