Several Brands of Frozen Waffles and Pancakes
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products are contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes
Designer Whey 100% Premium Whey Protein Powder
January 2015: The named plaintiff voluntarily dismissed this action When a complaint is dismissed without prejudice, an amended version of the complaint can be refiled.. The reasons have not been disclosed.
November 2014: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s and Designer Protein, LLC for allegedly misrepresenting the amount of protein in Designer Whey 100% Premium Whey Protein Powder. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the companies misrepresent that the powder contains 18 grams of 100% whey protein per serving when, in reality, the deceptive practice of “protein-spiking” (i.e., adding cheaper non-protein ingredients, such as amino acids, to increase the nitrogen content, which then makes it seem like it contains more protein than it actually has) was used and, as a result, the powder contains less protein than indicated on the label. (Reichert et al v. Designer Protein, LLC and Trader Joe’s Company, Case No. 14-cv-2825, S. D. CA.).
For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding “protein-spiking” and TINA.org’s coverage of the issue, click here.
Class-Action Tracker
Trader Joe’s Almost Everything Bagels
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as gluten free
Sunrise Growers Frozen Fruit Products
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain a bacterium that could lead to serious adverse health consequences
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bars
Allegations: Failing to disclose that products contain dangerous amounts of heavy metals
Trader Joe’s Cold Pressed Juices
Allegations: Misleadingly advertising juices as “cold pressed” when they undergo high pressure processing after being extracted from fruits and vegetables
Trader Joe’s Honey Graham Crackers
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing ingredients in graham crackers
Trader Joe’s Strawberry Toaster Pastries
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing the filling as made with strawberry when it contains other fruits
Trader Joe’s Tuna
Allegations: Deceptively underfilling cans of tuna
Just the Clusters from Trader Joe’s
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that vanilla is the main flavoring ingredient when the flavor comes from artificial flavors
Trader Joe’s Manuka Honey
Allegations: Falsely marketing products as being 100% Manuka honey
Just the Clusters Vanilla Almond Granola Cereal from Trader Joe’s
Allegations: Falsely marketing that the flavor comes from vanilla and “other natural flavors” when the flavoring actually comes from artificial ingredients
Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Clusters Cereals
In October 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the main flavoring ingredient in its Vanilla Almond Clusters Cereal is vanilla when, according…
Trader Joe’s 12 Grain Mini Snack Crackers
In August 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the predominant ingredient in its 12 Grain Mini Snack Crackers is a multigrain…
Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Clusters Cereal
In January 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly marketing that vanilla is the exclusive flavoring ingredient in its Vanilla Almond Clusters Cereal when, according…
Trader Joe’s Just the Clusters Vanilla Almond Granola Cereal
In January 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s Company for allegedly misleadingly marketing that vanilla is the exclusive flavoring ingredient in its Just the Clusters Vanilla Almond…
Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Flakes
In December 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly deceiving consumers by disguising sugar as “organic evaporated cane juice” in the ingredients list on the product…
Trader Joe’s Organic Oats & Flax Instant Oatmeal
In November 2019, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly listing “organic dehydrated cane juice solids” in the ingredients list for its Organic Oats & Flax…
Trader Joe’s Chicken
August 2019: This lawsuit was transferred to federal court. (Case No. 19-cv-1587, S. D. CA.) July 2019: A class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that Trader Joe’s All Natural chicken products…
Trader Joe’s Alkaline Water
July 2019: A federal judge entered judgment in favor of Trader Joe’s after the named plaintiff failed to respond to the court’s order to explain why the amended complaint should…
Trader Joe’s Dried Fruit
May 2019: This case was transferred from state court to federal court. (Barrere et al v. Trader Joe’s Company, Case No. 19-cv-4297, C. D. CA.) April 2019: A class-action lawsuit…
Trader Joe’s Ts & Js Sour Gummies
March 2019: This case was voluntarily dismissed because the parties reached a settlement agreement, the terms of which have not been disclosed. 2018: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader…
Trader Joe’s Honey Nut O’s
In December 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly deceptively marketing its Honey Nut O’s breakfast cereal. Specifically, the complaint alleges that Trader Joe’s sends the…
Trader Joe’s T’s & J’s Sour Gummies
In July 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly marketing its T’s & J’s Sour Gummies to give consumers the impression that they are natural…
Trader Joe’s Black Truffle Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil
August 2018: A federal judge dismissed this complaint concluding, among other things, that the marketing does not mislead reasonable consumers because the packaging says that the oil is “flavored” with…
Trader Joe’s Fruit Bars
In April 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly advertising that the only ingredients in its “2 ingredient” fruit bars, such as Trader Joe’s Apple…
Trader Joe’s Vitamin E Oil
In January 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly misleadingly representing that its Vitamin E Oil contains only vitamin E oil when, according to plaintiffs, the…
Trader Joe’s “All Natural” Products
November 2014: Both appeals were voluntarily dismissed. The reasons for the dismissals have not been disclosed. Click on the links below to see each order. Weaver et al Dismissal Narkin…
Trader Joe’s Maple Cereal and Oatmeal Products
In June 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Trader Joe’s for allegedly falsely marketing a variety of maple products – including its Frosted Maple and Brown Sugar Shredded Bite…
Trader Joe’s Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D
April 2013: This action was voluntarily dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled.. The reasons have not been disclosed. March 2013: A class-action lawsuit was…
Various Trader Joe’s Products
May 2016: The parties agreed to dismiss this action. The named plaintiffs’ claims were dismissed When a complaint is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be refiled. and the class members’…
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