PureVia® Stevia

July 2015: This appeal was dismissed because the plaintiffs did not pay the docketing and filing fees.

June 2015: Although the appellate court found this appeal to be “frivolous,” the plaintiffs may still move forward with the appeal. For this appeal to continue, the plaintiffs must pay certain fees (i.e., the docketing and filing fees) and respond to the court order finding the appeal frivolous.

March 2015: A class member who objected to the settlement appealed the district court’s approval. (Aguiar et al v. Merisant Company et al, Case No. 15-55362, 9th Cir.).

February 2015: A federal judge granted final approval of the settlement.

October 2014: A federal judge preliminarily approved the settlement. A final fairness hearing will be held on February 2, 2015.

August 2014: The parties agreed to a $1.65 million settlement to this class-action lawsuit. According to the settlement terms, class members may receive a cash refund ranging between $5 and $30, depending on the dollar amount or number of their purchases. In addition, the company agreed to change the marketing and labeling of Pure Via to fix the alleged misrepresentations. A preliminary approval hearing will be held on September 15, 2014.

January 2014: A class-action lawsuit was filed against Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener for allegedly misleadingly labeling PureVia® Stevia as a “natural sweetener” when it actually contains highly chemically processed and purified ingredients. (Aguiar et al v. Merisant Company and Whole Earth Sweetener Co., LLC, Case No. 14-cv-00670, C. D. CA.).

For more information about other class-action lawsuits regarding sugar and TINA.org’s coverage of the topic, click here.