A class action lawsuit accuses Ocean Spray of selling juice that falsely claims to include no preservatives.
"The labels for the products prominently display, in a conspicuous advertising panel on the back of the label, the claim that these products include 'no preservatives,'" says the lawsuit, filed in San Francisco federal court. "This statement is false. Each of the Products are made with citric acid - a well known preservative used in food and beverage products."
Citric acid is found naturally in certain citrus fruits, the lawsuit states.
"However, many commercial food manufactures use a form of citric acid that is derived from heavy chemical processing," the lawsuit states. "Most commercially produced citric acid is manufactured using a type of black mold.... Consumption of manufactured citric acid has been associated with adverse health events like joint pain with swelling and stiffness, muscular and stomach pain, as well as shortness of breath."
The plaintiffs claim Ocean Spray violates California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act. It seeks monetary damages and attorney fees.
The plaintiffs are represented by Michael T. Houchin, Craig W. Straub and Zachary M. Crosner, of Crosner Legal PC, of Beverly Hills.
Wright v. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 3:23-cv-05627.