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 plaintiffs, the ingredients list shows that the ice cream contains “natural flavor” instead of vanilla. In addition, the complaint alleges the products contain a coloring ingredient used in cheddar cheese (annatto extract) to make the ice cream look more like the flavor comes from vanilla. (Richardson et al v. Mars, Inc., Case No. 19-cv-10860, S. D. NY.)
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