Rachael Ray’s Dog Foods Misrepresented as “Natural, ” Putative Class Action Alleges
A consumer has filed a putative class action against the manufacturers of Rachael Ray’s dog foods, alleging that the products are labeled as “natural” despite containing artificial or synthetic chemicals. Grimm v. APN, Inc., No. 17-0356 (C.D. Cal., filed February 28, 2017). The plaintiff claims that she only bought the dog foods, sold under the Nutrish , Dish, Zero Grain and Just 6 labels, because they were labeled as natural and free of preservatives and would have purchased other products had she known the foods contained “artificial preservatives and unnatural ingredients.”
The plaintiff alleges the defendant manufacturers “capitalized” on consumer preferences for natural food products. The product labels indicate that the dog foods contain L-ascorbyl-2 polyphosphate, menadione sodium bisulphate complex, thiamine mononitrate, and caramel color. For alleged negligent representation, violations of California’s Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law, breach of warranties and quasi-contract, the plaintiff is seeking corrective advertising, statutory and punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
Issue 627
