LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A new class action lawsuit complains that there is no cinnamon in cinnamon-flavored Altoids.
Plaintiff Brent Scruggs and his lawyers at Custodio & Dubey filed suit Aug. 9 in Los Angeles federal court against Mars, Inc., alleging violation of the state's Consumers Legal Remedies Act, among other claims.
The suit notes an image of cinnamon sticks, along with the word "CINNAMON" on the front of the product's packaging.
"However, unbeknownst to consumers, the product does not contain any cinnamon," the suit says. "Plaintiff and other consumers have reasonably relied on Defendant's deceptive labeling of the product, reasonably believing the product contains cinnamon."
The lawsuit says competitors like Mentos use actual cinnamon in their cinnamon-flavored products.
"When manufacturers represent a specific ingredient on a food item, consumers expect the item to include that ingredient," the suit says.
"While manufacturers at times use artificial flavorings to mimic the taste of certain ingredients, the Federal Government, through the United States Food and Drug Administration, requires manufacturers to label their products in a specific manner to avoid consumer deception."