Los Angeles, CA: A consumer fraud class action lawsuit has been filed by consumers of Kraft Foods Group Inc. "natural"fat-free cheddar cheese, alleging the cheese actually contains artificial coloring, and therefore misled consumers.
The lawsuit was filed by named plaintiffs Claudia Morales and Mocha Gunaratna in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 7. In the complaint, Morales and Gunaratna allege that the "Kraft Natural Cheese ??" Shredded Cheese ??" Cheddar Fat Free"products contain artificial colorings, in contradiction of the "natural"term with which it is labeled.
The complaint further alleges that the artificial health coloring poses health concerns for certain consumers, as it could cause hyperactivity in children or allergic reactions.
The lawsuit claims that Kraft has sold hundreds of thousands of units of the cheese. A putative class of purchasers of the fat-free cheddar cheese could number in the "many thousands."
Plaintiffs allege violations of California's false and misleading advertising law and its Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and seek restitutionary damages and an injunction against Kraft from using the allegedly misleading labeling.
The plaintiffs are represented by Paul D. Stevens and Shireen Mohsenzadegan of Milstein Adelman LLP and Ryan J. Clarkson of Clarkson Law Firm. The case is Claudia Morales et al. v. Kraft Foods Group Inc., case number 2:14-cv-04387, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
