CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A class action lawsuit says Walmart's "raw" honey isn't, because it is overheated and contains "foreign" sugars.
John Wertymer, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Oct. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Walmart Inc., alleging fraud and other claims.
According to Wertymer's allegations, Walmart is misleading consumers by labeling its Great Value-brand honey products as "raw" and/or "organic." He claims Walmart adds "foreign sugars" to its "Organic Raw Honey" and "excessively heats" the honey during processing, which causes the enzymes in the raw honey to be destroyed.
Specifically, Wertymer alleges Walmart uses Mannose, a mono saccharide not found in honey but regularly found in industrial sugars. He further alleges Walmart had actual knowledge that its Organic Raw Honey and Raw Honey are not raw or organic and do not have the benefits of raw honey. He also alleges Walmart has fraudulently been selling the product at a premium price while misleading consumers.
Wertymer and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Clinton Krislow and Matthew Norgard of Krislow & Associates LTD in Chicago; Kent Heitzinger of Kent Heitzinger & Associates in Winnetka; and Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates PC in Great Neck, New York.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois case number 23-CB-14700