Citing GMOs, Putative Class Challenges Campbell Soup “100% Natural” Claims

A California resident has filed a putative class action against Campbell Soup Co. alleging that it falsely represents that some of its products are “100% Natural” when they in fact contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) “in the form of soy, corn, soy derivatives, and or corn derivatives.” Barnes v. Campbell Soup Co., No. 12-05185 (N.D. Cal., filed October 5, 2012). Specifically targeted in the complaint are the company’s “100% Natural Southwest-Style White Chicken Chili” and “100% Natural Healthy Request® Mexican-Style Chicken Tortilla Soup.” The plaintiff alleges that he “would not have purchased the Products if he had known that the Defendant’s Products are not ‘100% Natural’ because they contain GMOs.”

Seeking to certify a statewide class of product purchasers, the plaintiff alleges
violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law, False Advertising Law and
Consumers Legal Remedies Act. He requests injunctive relief; restitution;
disgorgement; attorney’s fees; actual, statutory and punitive damages; costs;
and interest. He is represented by counsel from the Law Offices of Howard
Rubinstein, P.A, which has long been active in this type of consumer-fraud
litigation. Additional information about some of Howard Rubinstein’s other
cases appears in Issue 263 of this Update.