SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The maker of Chef Boyardee products has been sued for claiming they are free from preservatives.
Israel Pelayo, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Nov. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Conagra Brands Inc., alleging violations of the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act and California Unfair Competition Law.
Pelayo, according to his class action, purchased Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, Chef Boyardee Mini Beef Ravioli and Chef Boyardee Overstuffed Beef Ravioli between 2020 and 2023. He claims the defendant's "prominently" displayed claim of "No Preservatives" on the products' labels is false because they contain citric acid, a synthetic preservative derived from heavy chemical processing.
Pelayo further claims that he and other consumers would not have purchased the defendant's products or would have paid less for the products, if they had known they contain a preservative ingredient. He alleges the defendant's deceptive advertising and labeling has caused harm to consumers and violates California law.
Pelayo and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Michael Houchin of Crosner Legal PC in Beverly Hills, California.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 3:23-CV-05833-JD