“Natural” Prego® Sauces Alleged to Contain Unnatural Canola Oil

In an amended complaint, a plaintiff has alleged that Campbell Soup
Co.’s Prego® sauces contain canola oil with genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) despite the products’ “100% Natural” label claims. Nelson
v. Campbell Soup Co., No. 14-2647 (S.D. Cal., amended complaint filed
June 8, 2015). The complaint asserts that 90 percent of canola crops in
the United States are genetically modified, and because Campbell does
not “undertake additional expensive steps to purchase and verify a supply
from non-GMO growers,” the canola oil used in Prego® products includes
GMOs. The plaintiff argues that a “reasonable California consumer, like
Plaintiff, would not expect a Product labeled ‘100% Natural’ to contain
ingredients made from genetically modified crops, which are, by definition,
artificial and synthetic.” She seeks damages and attorney’s fees for
her allegations of unfair competition and false advertising.

Issue 568