Newark, NJ: A federal consumer fraud class action lawsuit has been filed against Joint Juice Inc. (n/k/a Premier Nutrition Corp.) over allegations the company has made false advertising claims concerning its Joint Juice liquid dietary supplement.
Filed by Harold M. Hoffman, the lead plaintiff, the lawsuit alleges Joint Juice/Premier advertised and sold Joint Juice nationwide while making false claims about the product' effectiveness as an osteoarthritis treatment.
Among the alleged fraudulent statements made by Premier, are claims that Joint Juice could repair cartilage, improve flexibility and provide relief from stiff, achy joints. "Defendant took consumers' money predicated on these specific claims of health benefits and delivered to them, in return, nothing but broken promises," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that the "latest valid research"about Glucosamine HCI, which is the main ingredient in Joint Juice, contradicts Premier' product claims. Citing results from a study done by the National Institutes for Health, the lawsuit states that no significant difference in pain relief was evident for people who took glucosamine and those taking placebo.
"No reliable clinical research supports the claims made by defendant that oral consumption of Glucosamine, the principal ingredient in Joint Juice, can lead to cartilage health and/or deliver joint benefit," the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit, entitled Hoffman v. Joint Juice, Inc., Case No. 12-cv-7630, seeks treble damages, reimbursement and compensatory damages for a proposed class of all consumers nationwide that purchased Joint Juice in the past six years. It is alleging claims of common law fraud, knowing concealment or omission, false pretense, deception and "unconscionable commercial practice" under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, and more. Hoffman, an attorney, is representing himself.
