CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A class action lawsuit is alleging the maker of Trident chewing gum is misleading consumers with false package labeling and representations.
Kristen Lesorgen, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Oct. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Mondelez Global LLC alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Act and other claims.
Lesorgen alleges in her class action that the defendant - who manufactures labels, markets and sells Trident brand chewing gum - is misleading consumers with the packing of its "original flavor" variety. Specifically, Lesorgen claims the gum's package has a picture of what appears to be a peppermint leaf on the front label which leads consumers to believe the gum's taste comes from mint or peppermint ingredients.
She alleges the gum's back label does not identify any mint or peppermint ingredients and that its mint taste comes from "natural and artificial flavor." Lesorgen also alleges the gum's false and misleading representations result in the product being sold at a more "premium price" than it would be without the misleading packaging.
She claims Mondelez had a duty to disclose and give "non-deceptive" descriptions while marketing its gum product and that it "took advantage" of consumers' "cognitive shortcuts" made at the point-of-sale.
Lesorgen and the class seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC in Great Neck, New York.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois case number 3:22-CV-50375