WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A consumer class action lawsuit alleges Carpi-Sun apple juice is falsely labeled as all natural and preservative-free.
Eboni Forbes, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Jan. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Kraft Heinz Foods Company alleging violation of state consumer fraud acts and other claims.
Forbes alleges in the class action that Kraft Heinz's Capri-Sun apple juice is falsely labeled as having "All Natural Ingredients" and "No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives." The plaintiff, who purchased the product in the fall and winter of 2022, claims Capri-Sun's labeling is deceptive and misleading because the drink contains citric acid, which is an artificial preservative.
She further claims Kraft Heinz leads consumers to believe the citric acid "impacts the product's flavor" and does not disclose the ingredient is used to maintain and preserve the drink. Forbes alleges she and other consumers purchased Capri-Sun because they expected it would not contain artificial preservative ingredients.
She also alleges Kraft Heinz was aware of the "chemical reactions and synthetic reagents" that were used to produce the citric acid in the drink. Forbes claims she paid more for the product than she would have based on the false representations on the labeling.
Forbes and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC in Great Neck, New York.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York case number 1:23-CV-000007-LJL