SAN FRANCISCO – A consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against a food manufacturer alleging it wrongfully advertised its products as containing 100 percent Parmesan cheese, but was found out that it also contains other additives.
Charlene Agles filed a complaint on behalf of all others similarly situated on March 29 in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California against Kraft Heinz Foods Co. citing violation of the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, the Unfair Competition Law and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she bought a product that was labeled as 100 percent grated Parmesan cheese, but an independent laboratory test showed that it also contain at least 4 percent of cellulose and as such, plaintiff did not receive the full benefit of this purchase. The plaintiff holds Kraft Heinz Foods Co. responsible because the defendant allegedly made misinterpretations and falsely and deceptively labeled its products to attract consumers to buy them.
The plaintiff seeks a trial by jury, damages in an amount exceeding $5 million to be determined by proof, equitable and declaratory relief, all legal fees plus interest and any other relief as the court deems just and proper. She is represented by Rosemary M. Rivas and Quentin A. Roberts of Finkelstein Thompson LLP in San Francisco.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Case number 3:16-cv-01552