FORT MYERS, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The maker of Combos snacks faces a class action lawsuit over just how "real" its cheese is.
In a class action lawsuit filed Jan. 29 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, plaintiff Edward Pistorio is suing Mars Wrigley Confectionery US LLC. The complaint alleges that consumers are increasingly seeking healthier food choices and paying more attention to food ingredients.
The suit argues that Mars Wrigley has failed to meet these consumer demands for transparency and natural ingredients, particularly in its snack foods. It targets Combos, arguing the claim on their packaging that they are "made with real cheese" is misleading because the cheese filling is actually made predominantly with non-cheese ingredients like palm oil.
Pistorio's complaint cites industry data confirming the increased popularity of cheese as an ingredient due to its perceived health benefits and versatility. However, he contends that Mars Wrigley uses highly processed, synthetic alternatives instead of real cheese in its products.
This practice, Pistorio argues, is deceptive and violates the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and Florida's Food Safety Act (FSA).
Attorney William Wright represents the plaintiff.