Friendly’s Vanilla Ice Creams

In July and August 2019, two class-action lawsuits were filed against Friendly’s for allegedly misleadingly marketing that the flavor in its vanilla ice creams comes from vanilla beans when, according to plaintiffs, the ingredient lists show that the products contain unspecified “Natural Flavor” instead of vanilla flavor or vanilla extract. Plaintiffs also claim that the company deceptively adds ingredients (specifically, annatto and turmeric extracts) to make the color of the ice creams look more like they have been flavored with vanilla beans. Click on the links below to read each complaint.

• Charles et al v. Friendly’s Manufacturing and Retail, LLC, Case No. 19-cv-6571, S. D. NY.
• Fields et al v. Friendly’s Manufacturing and Retail, LLC, Case No. 19-cv-4924, E. D. NY.

Later in August, the Charles case was voluntarily dismissed for undisclosed reasons.

For more of TINA.org’s coverage of vanilla marketing claims, click here.