Pedigree Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Dog Kibble
Allegations: Falsely marketing that products provide a “100% Complete & Balanced” diet for dogs
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
Nutro Pet Foods
Allegations: False natural claims
Combos Cheddar Cheese Stuffed Snacks
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that the filling in products is made with real cheddar cheese
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
Dove Ice Cream Bars
M&M’s Reduced Fat Vanilla Ice Cream Products
IAMS Dog Foods
Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice
Mars Chocolate Products
Snickers Protein Bars
Chocolate Products from Mars
M&M’s Candies, Dove Candy Bars, Snickers Bars, and More
Iams Cat Food
Uncle Ben’s Rice Products
Mars Flavored Ice Cream Products
Nutro Dog Food Products
Mars Chocolate Candy Products
M&M’s® Mini Products
The Latest
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