BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newslinel) — A consumer class action alleges Bumbu Rum does not meet federal and state regulations to be considered rum.
Lamarr Golston, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated filed a complaint March 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York against Bumbu Rum Company LLC alleging violation of state consumer fraud acts and other claims.
Golston alleges in his class action that Bumbu's "original craft rum" is misleadingly labeled. He claims the product is not rum because it does meet federal and state regulations requiring a distilled spirit to be not less than 40% alcohol.
Golston further claims the defendant's rum contains only 35% ABV or 70 proof and does not qualify as rum due to the additional ingredients including flavoring. He alleges the product is "closer to a cordial or liqueur due to its added sugar and flavorings" and that "rum liqueur" is not an accurate description of the product.
Golston also alleges the product is sold at a premium price for $35 for a 750 mL bottle and that consumers would not have paid that amount if the rum was more accurately labeled.
Golston and the class seek monetary relief, interest, 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 Western District of New York Buffalo Division case number 1:23-CV-00241-LJV