SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Snackers who pick AriZona-brand fruit snacks are shocked to learn of high sugar content, a new class action lawsuit alleges.
Plaintiff Marcia Campbell and her lawyers at Good Gustafson Aumais and The Keeton Firm sued AriZona and Hornell Brewing on May 9 in California federal court. The suit says the companies are trying to market to health-conscious consumers when they package fruit snacks.
At issue are the claims "MADE WITH REAL FRUIT" and "FRUIT IS OUR FIRST INGREDIENT."
"The deception lies in the fact that the products are devoid of real fruit," the lawsuit says.
"Rather than containing fruit, the products are packed with sugar. Defendants' products contain sugar levels comparable to candy and none of the vibrantly depicted fruit. Thus, although Defendants market the products as containing real fruit while being healthful and nutritious, they are devoid of the health benefits reasonable consumers associate with consuming real fruit."
The suit says consumers would not have bought the snacks if they'd not been misled by the packaging. It seeks certification of a class of nationwide customers, as well as a separate California class.