Frito-Lay “All Natural” Bean Dip

November 2017: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement agreement.

August 2017: A federal judge granted preliminary approval of a settlement agreement. According to the settlement terms, the company agreed:

• Not to market the products at issue as “Made With All Natural Ingredients” or “natural” for a period of five years unless the claims are allowed by FDA guidance or federal legislation;
• Not to make non-GMO claims unless they are certified by an independent third party certification organization; and
• To modify its FAQ page and FAQ Nutrition page to direct consumers looking for non-GMO ingredients to appropriate Frito-Lay products.

The agreement does not provide class members with monetary relief. A final fairness hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2017.

December 2013: An amended complaint bringing similar allegations (i.e., that the companies market products as natural when they contain unnatural, genetically-modified organisms (or GMOs)) was filed. (Frito-Lay North America, Inc. “All Natural” Litigation, Case No. 12-md-2413, E. D. NY.)

August 2013: A federal judge dismissed some of the claims in this lawsuit, including all of the claims against PepsiCo (Frito-Lay’s parent company) and false advertising claims based on statements made anywhere other than product labels. To learn more about the dismissing and continuing claims, click here to read the full decision.

December 2012: This action was transferred to a New York court to be consolidated with other similar cases. (Case No. 12-cv-6105, E. D. NY.)

September 2012: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Frito-Lay for misleadingly labeling its Frito-Lay Bean Dip as “All Natural” when it contains soy and other ingredients that are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).  (Altman v. Frito-Lay, Inc., Case No. 12-cv-61803, S. D. FL.)

To learn more about TINA.org’s coverage of natural claims, click here.