Strawberry Pop-Tarts Contain Pears and Apples, Consumer Alleges

A consumer has filed a putative class action alleging that Kellogg Sales Co. misleads consumers by marketing its Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts as containing only strawberries in its filling to the exclusion of any other fruit content. Brown v. Kellogg Sales Co., No. 20-7283 (S.D.N.Y., filed September 5, 2020). “Consumers do not expect a food labeled with the unqualified term ‘Strawberry’ to contain fruit filling ingredients other than strawberry, and certainly do not expect pears and apples, as indicated on the back of the box ingredient list,” the complaint asserts. “Contrary to the legal requirements to prevent consumer deception, the Product’s name—’Frosted Strawberry’—fails to disclose the percentage of the characterizing ingredient of strawberries in the Product.” For allegations of negligent misrepresentation, fraud, unjust enrichment and violations of New York’s consumer-protection statutes, the plaintiff seeks class certification, preliminary and permanent injunctions, damages, costs and attorney’s fees.