Class Action

Chocolate in Starbucks, Mars, and The Quaker Oats Company Products

Class Action

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

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Starbursts

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Skittles

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Nutro Limited Ingredient Dog Foods

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Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that dog foods do not contain wheat, soy, or chicken when they contain significant amounts of the ingredients

Silky Smooth Dove Bars

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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

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diets Dog Foods

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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…

Iams Cat Food

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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

Class Action

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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