CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - One of the latest in a series of "real cheese" class action lawsuits challenges claims made by the maker of Ritz snacks.
Mondelez Global LLC, the maker of Ritz Bits Cracker Sandwiches, is facing a class-action lawsuit filed Feb. 14 by Joseph Fischetti in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
The suit alleges that Mondelez misled consumers by marketing its cracker sandwiches as having a "filling made with real cheese," despite the product containing lower-value, highly processed substitutes.
The lawsuit comes amidst increasing consumer demand for healthier and more natural food choices, with a particular focus on ingredients transparency, the suit claims. The complaint cites industry data confirming the increased popularity of cheese and argues that claims like "made with real cheese" add value to shelf stable foods.
Fischetti's lawsuit also refers to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) and New York's Agriculture and Markets Law (AGM), which were designed to prevent such deception.
Spencer Sheehan represents the plaintiff.