CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Quaker is facing a consumer class action lawsuit alleging the company's marketing of its "simply" granola products gives the false belief they contain only simple and clean ingredients.
Donna Campobasso, Anthony Civitano and Alfonzo Farfan, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Nov. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against The Quaker Oats Company and Does 1 through 50, alleging violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud, New York General Business Law, the Deceptive Business Practices Act and other claims.
The plaintiffs allege in their class action that Quaker is misleading consumers with false claims regarding its Simply Granola Oats, Honey, Raisins & Almonds and Simply Granola Oats, Honey & Almonds products. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim the word "simply" is misleading because the products contain several other ingredients than the represented ingredients including wheat, sugar, inulin and "inflammatory vegetable oils."
They further allege consumers are led to believe they are purchasing a product with "clean, simple" ingredients with Quaker's use of "simply" on the package labeling. The plaintiffs allege that due to Quaker's false representations, consumers pay more for the products after being led to believe they are premium products. They also allege Quaker's misleading labeling violates state consumer fraud acts.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Robert Abiri of Custodio & Dubey LLP in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division case number 1:22-CV-06043