SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California woman is suing one of the world’s largest Mexican fast-food chains over claims of false advertising.
Colleen Gallagher, on behalf of herself and others similarly situated, has filed a class action lawsuit on Aug. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., citing violations of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law and the Unfair Competition Law.
Gallagher alleges that Chipotle, priding themselves as serving “Food with Integrity” since 2009 and promoting itself as a brand in healthier food and ethical farming practices via its alleged servicing of non-GMO food products, is in fact lying and misleading the consumer. The plaintiff alleges that Chipotle serves meat from animals that consumed GMO feed, like corn and soy, and its dairy products, such as sour cream and cheese, comes from GMO-fed cows. Gallagher also alleges that Chipotle’s soft drinks are made with corn syrup, a GMO. She argues that Chipotle is well aware of these false advertisements and yet has not made an effort to clarify these falsities to the consumer, thereby violating consumer laws.
Gallagher is demanding a trial by jury and is suing for an undisclosed amount of monetary damages and or restitution, court and attorney fees, and any other rewards deemed just by the court. She is represented by attorneys Laurence D. King, Linda M. Fong, Matthew George and Mario M. Choi of the law offices of Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, in San Francisco and New York, N.Y.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 3:15-cv-03952-LB