Kraft Heinz must face Mac & Cheese lawsuit, judge rules By Reuters

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A federal choose stated Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:) should face a proposed nationwide class motion alleging that it defrauded customers by claiming its Kraft macaroni and cheese, considered one of its best-known merchandise, incorporates no synthetic preservatives.

In a choice on Wednesday, U.S. District Choose Mary Rowland stated the Illinois, California and New York customers main the lawsuit plausibly alleged that Kraft Mac & Cheese contained an artificial type of citric acid that differed from the pure selection, and likewise contained sodium phosphates.

The Chicago-based choose stated the plaintiffs particularly alleged that the substances functioned as preservatives, making Kraft Heinz’s declare of “No Synthetic Flavors, Preservatives or Dyes” on labels false, and cited tutorial research and U.S. Meals and Drug Administration steering to help their case.

“These allegations are sufficient to face up to a movement to dismiss,” she wrote.

Rowland agreed with Kraft Heinz that the plaintiffs lacked standing to demand new labels as a result of they’re now conscious of its alleged misleading practices and face no threat of future hurt.

In looking for a dismissal, Kraft Heinz stated there have been no factual allegations that it used synthetic preservatives in its “iconic” Mac & Cheese, or that cheap customers would view its substances as synthetic.

Kraft Heinz maintained on Thursday that its Mac & Cheese incorporates no synthetic flavors, preservatives or dyes.

“We stand totally behind our product and are pleased with its high quality,” the corporate stated. “We strongly imagine that this lawsuit has no advantage and stay up for our day in court docket.”

Legal professionals for the plaintiffs didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

The plaintiffs are looking for damages for fraud, unjust enrichment, and violations of state client safety legal guidelines.

Their lawsuit is considered one of many difficult the accuracy or precision of meals labels.

In July 2023, a Miami federal choose dismissed a lawsuit accusing Kraft Heinz of understating how lengthy it took to organize microwaveable Velveeta macaroni and cheese.

Kraft Heinz relies in Chicago and Pittsburgh. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:) owns 26.9% of its inventory.

The case is Hayes et al v. Kraft Heinz Co, U.S. District Courtroom, Northern District of Illinois, No. 23-16596.