Blue Diamond Almond Milk Target of New “All Natural” Action
A consumer has filed a putative class action in New York federal court against Blue Diamond Growers alleging that the company deceptively labels its Almond Breeze Almond Milk as “All Natural” despite containing potassium citrate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2, and D-Alpha-Tocopherol. Harlam v. Blue Diamond Growers, No. 15-877 (E.D.N.Y., filed February 19, 2015).
The plaintiff alleges that 18 varieties of Blue Diamond almond milk contain the ingredients at issue, which she asserts are artificial or synthetic and, as a result, reasonable consumers would not expect to find them in products labeled as natural. “The [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] considers use of the term ‘natural’ on a food label to be truthful and non-misleading when ‘nothing artificial or synthetic . . . has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in the food,’” she argues. Alleging unjust enrichment, breach of warranties and negligent misrepresentation, the plaintiff seeks class certification, an injunction, damages, and attorney’s fees.
Issue 557
