Class Claims Filed Against Snack Maker Over Mislabeled Products
By: Elizabeth DiNardo, Esq. | Associate Counsel
On February 8, 2019, class claims were filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York against the makers of the popular Drizzilicious line of snack foods, alleging that the company, Snack Innovations Inc., mislabeled its products in such a way as to intentionally mislead consumers with respect to the ingredients contained by the products.
In the complaint, named plaintiff Aurora Morrison alleges that Snack Innovations falsely stated on the label of certain Drizzilicious snacks, that the product contained white chocolate. Plaintiff specifically calls out Drizzilicious Cinnamon Swirl, which is described by the defendant as “cinnamon crisps drizzled with white chocolate” and Drizzilicious Birthday Cake which is advertised at “mini rice cakes with white chocolatey drizzle,” arguing that these labels misrepresented the ingredients in the products, claiming blatant falsehoods, misleading suggestions and lies of omission. The suit alleges the labeling and advertising of the Drizzilious products violate New York State laws and the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”). Had the plaintiff been aware that the products did not contain white chocolate, she alleged, she would not have purchased the product.
The plaintiff seeks to represent a class of consumers, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, who purchased the products during a specific time period, yet to be established. The suit brings causes of action for an injunction for violations of New York General Business Law section 349 (Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act), damages for violations of New York General Business Law section 349 (Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act), damages for violations of New York General Business Law section 350 (False Advertising Law) and claims for common law fraud.
The case is: Aurora Morrison v. Snack Innovations, Inc, Case No.: 1:19-cv-01238, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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