Kern’s Juices “Almost Entirely Sugar-Water,” Lawsuit Alleges

A consumer has filed a putative class action alleging that Stremick’s Heritage Foods misrepresents its  Kern’s juice as a “healthful, natural juice product made solely from fresh fruits” despite being “almost entirely sugar-water, with a small amount of fruit juice added for color and texture.” Levin v. Stremick’s Heritage Foods, No. 18-1748 (C.D. Cal., filed September 26, 2018). The complaint alleges that the juices “consist of 70% water and high fructose corn syrup, topped with 30% or less of the juice of the fruit for which the Products are named.” The complaint also alleges that “pictorial representations” of “life-like” fruits on the packaging mislead consumers about the beverages’ juice content.

The plaintiff further argues that the products contain “massive amounts of refined sugar. The ‘Apricot Nectar’ Product, for example, contains 47 grams of sugar per serving—more than Grape Kool-Aid.” According to the complaint, the juices are not healthful because excess sugar consumption “damages cells,” “promotes nutrient deficiency,” “depletes vitamins and minerals, including those necessary for beneficial antioxidant health effects,” “interferes with the body’s metabolism of vitamins including vitamin C” and “depletes and blocks the absorption of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and chromium.” The plaintiff seeks class certification, injunctions, damages and attorney’s fees for allegations of fraud by omission and violations of California’s consumer-protection statutes.