ALAMEDA — A class-action lawsuit against Champion Petfoods over alleged false marketing of its products was suspended by the Alameda County Superior Court.
The putative class-action suit, originally filed by Jesika Vado on Oct. 22 last year, alleged false marketing of Champion’s Acana and Orijen brands. These brands advertise their products as “Biologically Appropriate” and “designed to nourish dogs and cats according to their evolutionary adaptation to a diet rich and diverse in fresh meat and protein.”
Vado included Pet Foods Express in her suit as the retailer where she purchased the pet food.
According to court documents, Vado alleges the defendant was negligent in its representation of the product, violated the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act and the California False Advertising Law, the Unfair Competition Law, and quasi-contract.
Vado wants to recover actual damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs for all participants in the class action suit. Anyone living in California who purchased Acana or Orijen brand products from July 2013 to present was eligible to be a part of the class action suit.
The decision to stay the case comes after a motion was granted on Feb. 14. Champion filed a motion to stay or dismiss while Pet Food Express filed a motion to remand.
Vado filed an opposition to the motion to stay or dismiss but did not file an opposition to the motion to remand, which was denied. As a result of the motion to stay, the hearing and initial case management conference scheduled for Feb. 22 were cancelled.
Champion is the subject of multiple class action suits within the last year.