Parties Reach $1.5 Million Settlement in MSG Labeling Dispute

CJ America Inc., maker of Annie Chun’s soup and noodle products, and
a plaintiff have reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the company
misled consumers by selling products with monosodium glutamate
(MSG) while labeling the foods with the claims “No MSG Added” or
“100 percent all natural ingredients.” Petersen v. CJ America Inc., No.
14-2570 (S.D. Cal., settlement agreement filed October 30, 2015).

Under the agreement, CJ America will pay $1.5 million to a settlement
fund distributed in $1.50 increments to purchasers of each eligible
product, with a limit of 10 claims for class members without proofs
of purchase. Any remaining funds will be directed to the Mayo Clinic,
Action for Healthy Kids and National Farm to School Network. CJ
America will also remove “No MSG Added” from its product packaging
for a minimum of three years. Attorneys for the plaintiff seek 25 percent
of the settlement fund ($375,000) as attorney’s fees.

Issue 584