SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A class action against JFC International and Hapi Products, Inc. for allegedly having misleading food labeling was filed in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of California on March 6.
Hilary Youther sand Zain Eisenberg led the class action on behalf of themselves and others in their situations, alleging “false and misleading labeling and marketing of [the defendants’] Hapi Wasabi Coated Peas,” according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs claimed the food in question was labeled as “wasabi coated," but the product doesn’t actually have wasabi in it. Instead, the products are speculated to have a horseradish substitute in place of the wasabi. If true, the defendants are benefiting from an up-charge for the product while falsely advertising it, the plaintiffs alleged.
“Authentic wasabi is difficult to cultivate and therefore it is expensive to cultivate and procure,” the plaintiffs explained.
They’re requesting punitive and compensatory damages as well as related court costs.